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Bungee force level, stiffness, and variation during treadmill locomotion in simulated microgravity.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|April 24, 2014
Summary
Astronauts use elastomer bungees for treadmill exercise in space. This study quantifies bungee forces, stiffness, and variations to improve exercise safety and effectiveness during space missions.
Area of Science:
- Space physiology
- Biomechanics
- Human factors engineering
Background:
- International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers use elastomer bungees for treadmill exercise.
- A harness with external gravity replacement force is essential for simulating Earth's gravity during exercise.
- Quantifying force, displacement, stiffness, and variation is crucial for understanding applied forces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the external force, displacement, stiffness, and force variation of elastomer bungee systems used by astronauts.
- To analyze the loading characteristics of bungee systems during simulated microgravity exercise.
Main Methods:
- Collected data during static laboratory trials and dynamic walking/running on a treadmill in parabolic flight.
- Utilized bungee and carabiner configurations common for crewmembers.
- Measured total external force, displacement, and force variation; computed stiffness.
Main Results:
- Mean external force ranged from 431–804 N (54–131% bodyweight).
- Mean displacement varied from 4–8 cm based on gait speed.
- Mean stiffness ranged from 1.73–29.20 N/cm, influenced by bungee configuration.
- Force variation was 2.61–4.48% for single bungees and 4.30–57.5% for dual bungees.
Conclusions:
- Elastomer bungees provide a range of loading levels with gait-cycle variations for ISS crewmembers.
- Quantification of bungee loading characteristics is vital for refining current astronaut exercise systems.
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