Main points of the story
Astronauts can temporarily grow 2 inches but lose muscle mass and experience back pain
Many exercise strategies can help reduce pain and muscle loss
CNN
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A new study has found that a six-month stay on the International Space Station can cause back pain for astronauts. Although they can temporarily grow two centimeters in length, this comes with a weakening of the muscles that support the spine.
Astronauts have been experiencing back pain since the late 1980s, with more than half of US astronauts reporting it. Up to 28% of them suffer from mild to severe pain, lasting for the entire duration of their work.
When astronauts return to Earth’s gravity, they have a 4.3 times higher risk of a herniated disc in the first year. This highlights the need for better understanding of the effects of space travel on their spines.
Dr. Douglas Chang, the first author of the study, believes that addressing this issue is crucial for the success of long-term missions, particularly future trips to Mars. The study also highlighted the need for exercise strategies that specifically target the spine.
Like living in a body cast
Many studies have focused on intervertebral discs as the cause of back pain in space. However, this new study contradicts that view, finding little change in the size or structure of the discs. Instead, it identified significant damage and weakening of the muscles supporting the lower back.
In microgravity, the elongation of the torso puts strain on the lower back muscles, which astronauts don’t use as much since they don’t need to bend or move in the same way as on Earth. This lack of use leads to pain and stiffness in the lower back, making it feel like spending six months in a body cast.
MRI scans before and after space missions showed that astronauts lose 19% of their lower back muscle during their time in space. Even after six weeks of rehabilitation, they only recover 68% of what they lost.
Considering the potential for muscle atrophy and reduction during long-duration space missions, including a trip to Mars, researchers believe that astronauts need to focus on targeted exercise programs for their spines.
Future research will also investigate neck issues and explore inflight ultrasounds of the spine to further understand the impacts of space travel on astronauts’ health.
To address these concerns, additional measures are suggested, such as integrating exercise programs specifically targeting the spine and incorporating activities like yoga to alleviate back pain. However, the challenges of exercising in a microgravity environment will need to be addressed.
The design of exercise equipment for the space station also poses challenges as it needs to be lightweight and adaptable for the microgravity environment.
Dr. Douglas Chang and his team suggest involving friends, family, or even Twitter followers in astronauts’ exercise programs to make them more engaging and competitive.
Dr. Scott Parazynski, a former astronaut who experienced back pain after returning from space, now promotes health education in microgravity and advises current astronauts on ways to stay healthy.
Join the conversation
The health and fitness of astronauts are essential for the success of their missions, as they return with a different perspective on their place in the universe.
Astronauts are motivated to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to advancements in space exploration for future generations.
