Astronauts need to work harder to maintain muscle fitness

The latest NASA-sponsored research from Ball State University's Human Performance Lab (HPL) suggests that the inflight exercise regimen for astronauts needs to be optimised to improve their muscle performance.

Astronauts may need to work harder to retain muscle mass, especially when they are working on board the International Space Station (ISS).

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The latest NASA-sponsored research from Ball State University's Human Performance Lab (HPL) suggests that the inflight exercise regimen for astronauts needs to be optimised to improve their muscle performance.

Average stays on the ISS run for about six months and preservation of crew member health in zero-gravity environments is paramount for safety and mission success.

Since exercise is the primary course of action to protect the cardiovascular system, bone, and skeletal muscles, astronauts need to find the optimal exercises to stay fit, according to a NASA release that was published in The Journal of Applied Physiology.