Space flight results in physiological adaptations to microgravity that are detrimental to overall health and well being. Outcomes include:
- Losses in bone
- Losses in muscle mass
- Shifts in fluid volumes
- Cardiac deconditioning
The goals and objectives of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory are four fold:
- Support pre-flight, in-flight, and post flight medical operations and physical fitness testing requirements
- Assist in the development of astronaut physical conditioning programs
- Evaluate and validate exercise countermeasure equipment, procedures, protocols, and conditioning programs related to the maintenance of crew health and performance during Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions
- To understand the effects of microgravity upon human performance during and after exposure to microgravity and space flight
Areas of research include:
- Cardio-respiratory functional capacity
- Musculoskeletal strength development and maintenance
- Orthostatic intolerance
- Biomechanics of movement
- Bone metabolism
- Thermoregulation
Laboratory personnel also evaluate in-flight exercise responses and activity patterns as a way of evaluating and validating exercise countermeasure concepts. Research investigations are conducted through NASA Research Announcements, the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and other peer-reviewed processes.
Instrumentation in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory includes: metabolic gas analysis systems, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring systems, treadmills, cycle ergometers, rowing machines, resistance exercise dynamometers, electromyography recording system, and computers, cameras, and instrumentation to conduct biomechanical analysis.