InnovaSpace
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Advisors
    • Global Partners & Friends
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • Courses
    • Working Groups
    • Outreach
  • Regional Hubs
    • Hub Português
    • Hub Español
  • eBook Store
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Library
    • Analog missions
    • Podcasts, Media & Websites
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Societies & Organisations
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Advisors
    • Global Partners & Friends
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • Courses
    • Working Groups
    • Outreach
  • Regional Hubs
    • Hub Português
    • Hub Español
  • eBook Store
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Library
    • Analog missions
    • Podcasts, Media & Websites
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Societies & Organisations
  • Contact
Search

BLOGS VLOGS & VIEWS

parabolic flight testing to help solve astronaut  back pain

27/5/2018

 

Mary Upritchard

Admin Director, InnovaSpace

PictureProf. Nick Caplan, Northumbria University
A really exciting week lies ahead for the Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory team of researchers from Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Led by Professor Nick Caplan, the team will take part in a partial-gravity parabolic flight campaign organised by the European Space Agency, the problem under investigation being one that affects many astronauts when they spend time in the microgravity of space – back pain.

It is well known that astronauts increase in height during their missions, usually between 3-5 cm. While under the influence of the gravity on Earth, the spine is compressed, rather like a spring being pushed down. Remove that force of gravity and the spring will expand and stretch, and this is what is thought to happen in space – the force of gravity is removed and so the vertebrae that make up the spine stretch out, and hence the increase in height and discomfort as connecting ligaments and support muscles extend. Over time spent in reduced gravity, research has demonstrated these muscles that connect the bones of the spine together shrink and weaken, particularly those in the lower back, as they are less required in space.
PictureWired up for research! Image: Northumbria University
This musculoskeletal deconditioning can lead to a greater risk of spinal injury when an astronaut returns once more to an increased gravity environment, such as on Earth. Therefore, the Northumbria University experiment will examine through a technique called fine wire electromyography, which support muscles in the back are being affected by a reduction in microgravity. With this knowledge, it could be possible to develop an effective countermeasure to mitigate the muscle loss that will occur as humans spend longer durations in space, and considering the likelihood of colonies being established on the Moon or Mars.
​InnovaSpace sends good luck vibes and best wishes to all the research team of the Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory
who will soon be boarding the Novespace Zero-G plane for 3 days of 31 parabolas a day. Hoping your equipment behaves, your data is plentiful and you all manage to not vomit up your breakfasts! 
#parabolicflight #AstronautBackPain #partialgravity 



Comments are closed.

    Welcome

    to the InnovaSpace Knowledge Station

    Categories

    All
    Aerospace
    Astronaut For A Day
    Astronomy
    Education
    Empowering Girls
    Extreme Environments
    Health
    Hub Español
    Hub Português
    Humanities
    KidsBlog
    Mars
    Outreach Activities
    Photo Blog
    Research
    Space Analogues
    Space Art
    Space Medicine
    Space News
    Space Physiology
    Space Psychology
    Space Technology
    Space Tourism
    STEM / STEAM
    Team News
    Telemedicine
    Working Groups

    RSS Feed

Home

Mission

Team

​What We Do

Events

Blog

Contact

InnovaSpace Ltd - Registered in England & Wales - No. 11323249
UK Office: 88 Tideslea Path, London, SE280LZ
​Privacy Policy  I Terms & Conditions
© 2021 InnovaSpace, All Rights Reserved 

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Advisors
    • Global Partners & Friends
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • Courses
    • Working Groups
    • Outreach
  • Regional Hubs
    • Hub Português
    • Hub Español
  • eBook Store
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Library
    • Analog missions
    • Podcasts, Media & Websites
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Societies & Organisations
  • Contact