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Training with the International Space Station interim resistive exercise device.
Suzanne M Schneider1, William E Amonette, Kristi Blazine
1NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA. sschneid@unm.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 6, 2003
Summary
High-intensity training with the interim resistive exercise device (iRED) effectively increased muscle strength and volume, comparable to free weights. However, iRED did not stimulate bone mineral density, indicating a need for further spaceflight studies.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Space Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The interim resistive exercise device (iRED) is a unique, elastomer-based resistance exercise tool utilized on the International Space Station.
- Understanding the efficacy of iRED in terrestrial (1-g) environments is crucial for its potential application in mitigating microgravity-induced deconditioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize iRED training responses in a 1-g environment.
- To determine if 16 weeks of high-intensity iRED training increases muscle strength, volume, and bone mineral density (BMD).
- To compare iRED training outcomes against free weights and evaluate the impact of different training volumes.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight untrained men were divided into four groups: control (CON), iRED training with three sets (iRED3), free weights with three sets (FW), and iRED with six sets (iRED6).
- Training involved squat, heel raise, and dead lift exercises performed three times per week for 16 weeks.
- Muscle strength (1-RM), lean mass (DXA), and muscle volume (MRI) were assessed pre- and post-training. Bone mineral density was also measured.
Main Results:
- iRED3 and FW groups showed significant increases in muscle strength and lean mass, with iRED3 demonstrating increases of 17-29% in 1-RM strength and 3.1% in leg lean mass.
- FW training resulted in greater increases in strength and lean mass compared to iRED3, and also led to a 4.2% increase in lumbar BMD.
- No significant changes in BMD were observed in the iRED groups, and increasing training volume (iRED6) did not yield different results compared to iRED3.
Conclusions:
- High-intensity iRED training effectively stimulates muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, comparable to traditional free weight training.
- The iRED was not effective in stimulating bone mineral density in this 1-g study.
- Further research involving bed rest and spaceflight is necessary to fully assess the iRED's potential for preventing microgravity-related deconditioning.