natalie-experiment

The aim of this project is to avoid the muscle wasting of the crew members during the stay at the MDRS and evaluate solutions against this problem. Indeed, the stay in a station of 8 m of diameter during several weeks, with few exercies, can generate an important muscular melting, a loss of strength and a physical deconditioning.

In order to avoid this loss of muscular mass, we want to establish a physical training program. This program can be adapted to individual needs and can be done in the station.

For this experiment, a precise analysis of physical activity of everyone will be conducted before and during the stay. This experiment also aims to find a way to make the training exercises in the most cost-effective manner, so they do not take too much time, do not take too much energy, and thus avoid to consume extra food or water. This could be achieved through the method of “cuff”. A cuff is an armband that is inflated to a certain pressure around the end of the working muscle. That regulates the blood supply of the muscle, and so, for the same exercise the cuff will have a greater effect on the muscle. That allows to exercise for a shorter time period with the same result.

Before leaving – we will analyze the physical condition of everyone through setting up of a pedometer on each crew members for one to two weeks and giving daily questionnaire about physical and sports activity and conducting effort and muscle strength tests in laboratory.

3 groups – Group 1 = control group, making any physical exercise, Group 2 = group doing exercises without cuff, Group 3 = group doing exercises with cuff.

On the spot – We will place a pedometer on each subject to track the number of steps completed each day, proceed the exercises of the muscular maintenance program (with or without cuff) and report of the activities and the number of liters drank by each crew members.