NASA Physiology Study for Women in Space May Benefit Bedridden Women on Earth

What do women on bed rest have to do with astronauts headed for the moon or Mars? When America was involved with the "space race" with the Soviet Union, astronauts weren't the only ones who enjoyed new technologies as they traveled through space. Commercialization of space technologies was a lasting benefit for all Americans.

As NASA prepares for a new round of moon missions and beyond, new technologies are being developed and research to support life in space is producing results that may help those on Earth. One example is a recent study sponsored by NASA involving exercise in space, which has yielded results pregnant women and others confined to bed for health reasons may benefit from.

An important new aspect of the research done at Ball State University in Indiana is that it focused on women astronauts in particular. They were seeking ways to reduce strength and muscle loss during space flights, when astronauts will be exposed to microgravity situations, where their muscles are not strengthened by working against gravity as they are on earth.

The study involved a group of 24 women who endured bed rest for 60 days. During that time, one group received a special protein-enhanced diet, while another group exercised both aerobically and with strength training, for less than 2 percent of their total time. A control group received neither treatment. All subjects were placed in a bed which researchers believe most accurately simulates the space environment, with their heads tilted slightly downward.

Results, determined by MRI examination of muscles and strength testing, indicated that the control group lost significant amounts of strength and muscle mass. The group receiving additional protein in their diet lost even more muscle mass than the control group, as well as having strength loss. The group which exercised, however, lost neither strength nor muscle mass even with the short, intense exercise protocol.

Women who are ordered to remain in bed due to medical conditions encounter a similar situation, and these results may guide physicians in ensuring that physical changes from extended bed rest are minimized. The limited amount of exercise required to maintain strength and muscle mass may be especially helpful.

NASA is conducting a number of research projects in recognition of the possibly differing needs of women astronauts in space, including microgravity and radiation exposure. In the event that astronauts travel to the planet Mars, a voyage of six months will put these results to good use.

The study took place in Toulouse, France, jointly sponsored by the European, Canadian, and French space agencies and NASA, with results recently published in Journal of Applied Physiology and Acta Physiologica.

Source: E-mailed release from NASA mediaservices.nasa.gov, "RELEASE: 07-253, NASA-FUNDED STUDY FINDS EXERCISE COULD HELP WOMEN ON BED REST", November 15, 2007