Categories: Research

New Study On Astronauts Reveals Life In Space

The idea of going to space excites many, but the toll that life in space takes can be borne by only a few. Astronauts are superheroes. Indeed. You might be able to realize this after knowing the findings of new research that graphs the pain endured by astronauts while they are in space.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, assessed six astronauts who spent between four and six months on the International Space Station, and their findings revealed that astronauts grow taller during long space missions, lose important muscle mass, and also suffer from back pain.

Isn’t becoming taller good, though?

It might seem that gaining a few inches in height isn’t a bad thing, but changes to the spine are harmful and result in back pain and injuries. Muscles supporting the spine tend to shrink and do not return to normal for several weeks after returning to Earth.

Researchers found that the cross-sectional area of muscles that run along the spine, which helps support the spine and prevent misalignment, decreased by 19 percent after the astronauts stayed on the ISS. And only about two-thirds of this shrinkage recovers after a month or two of spending time on Earth.

This study, published in the journal Spine, mentions, “Paraspinal lean muscle mass, as indicated by the functional cross-sectional area (FCSA), decreased from 86% of the total paraspinal muscle (PSM) cross-sectional area down to 72%, immediately after the mission. Recovery of 68% of the post-flight loss occurred over the next 6 weeks, still leaving a significantly lower lean muscle fractional content compared to pre-flight values.”

Astronauts spend time in microgravity in space, where they do not depend on the spinal muscles to stabilize and support the body as they float weightlessly in space. Thus,  muscles are prone to degeneration, which causes bones in the spine to straighten out and stiffen. This also explains why many astronauts suffer from back pain after traveling to the ISS.

These findings are going to help if humans want to go to Mars, and it means that astronauts might have to change their health and workout routine in space.

Source: Reuters & Others

Recent Posts

5 Ways Uri Ansbacher Balances Financial Success and Social Responsibility

Business success and social responsibility are becoming increasingly entwined, which makes Uri Ansbacher’s fresh perspective…

11 hours ago

How Generative AI Is Changing Sales

Thriving in sales has never been easy. It’s a fast-paced, chaotic landscape, filled with unique…

12 hours ago

What Are White Label PPC Services and How Do They Work?

White-label PPC services are a simple way for businesses to provide Pay-Per-Click advertising without having…

13 hours ago

111 Win: Game On And Win Big!

The online gaming landscape is brimming with options, but finding a platform that excels in…

14 hours ago

Tiranga Games: Your Ultimate Gaming Destination

The world of online gaming is constantly evolving, offering a myriad of options for entertainment,…

15 hours ago

Want To Sell Your Car? Here’s What You Need To Know About Valuation

If you're considering selling your car in India, getting the valuation right is crucial for…

15 hours ago