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Considerations in prescribing preflight aerobic exercise for astronauts.
1Bionetics Corporation, NASA, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Astronauts benefit from high aerobic fitness, which improves cardiovascular and mental performance in space. While recovery may be slower, it aids well-being and musculoskeletal health during space missions.
Area of Science:
- Space physiology
- Human adaptation to weightlessness
- Exercise science
Background:
- Spaceflight induces physiological and psychological changes.
- Early concerns suggested high aerobic fitness might impair orthostatic tolerance post-flight.
- Earth-based simulations contribute to understanding weightlessness effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of aerobic fitness on astronaut health and performance during and after spaceflight.
- To address the historical debate regarding aerobic fitness and orthostatic intolerance.
- To inform optimal exercise strategies for space missions.
Main Methods:
- Review of data from actual spaceflights and Earth-based simulations.
- Analysis of physiological responses (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, fluid balance).
- Assessment of psychological effects and performance metrics.
Main Results:
- Current data do not support the idea that high aerobic fitness is detrimental to orthostatic tolerance.
- Aerobic fitness positively impacts cardiovascular function, mental performance, and well-being.
- High pre-flight fitness may lead to slower cardiovascular recovery but faster musculoskeletal recovery.
Conclusions:
- High aerobic fitness is likely beneficial for astronauts, enhancing performance and well-being.
- Further research is needed to define optimal aerobic training levels for space missions.
- Exercise strategies should balance in-flight performance, health maintenance, and post-flight recovery.