Integrated Endurance and Resistance Exercise Countermeasures Using a Gravity Independent Training Device

Extended space flight as well as existence on Mars will require exercise equipment and training protocols designed to maintain physical fitness and general health. NASA has determined that current flight rated exercise hardware is not appropriate for use on the future Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) (JSC--Johnson Space Center--SAT Report 12/06). Studies will investigate protocols designed to maintain both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness using a gravity independent multi-mode exercise device (M-MED), which has been identified by NASA as potential flight hardware. M-MED can provide either high resistance strength- or low resistance endurance-mode exercises.

Phase I -ground based integrated strength & cardiovascular (CV) exercise training under normal weight bearing conditions.

Phases 2&3 - application of this protocol with progressive levels of inactivity.

Measurements - total body physical work capacity, muscular mass, strength, and sustained muscle endurance (i.e., extravehicular activity, EVA, related issues). CV-related exercise using M-MED "aerobic" mode configuration designed to minimize the time spent in exercise using high power output, short duration interval training. On alternate days, the M-MED will be configured for strength training which has been shown to result in increased muscle strength and size. These studies will validate the efficacy of concurrent endurance and strength training as a high economy approach to flight crew physical fitness, using a scientifically proven exercise modality that has a high probability for use during prolonged space flight missions. This work directly addresses primary requirements in the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Request for Applications (RFA):

1. "New, innovative exercise hardware for deployment on CEV and Martian surfaces that provide efficient means for maintenance of aerobic capacity, bone and muscle strength, and endurance with sufficient reserve for contingencies."

2. "New, innovative exercise protocols that minimize in-flight crew time necessary to maintain aerobic capacity and muscle strength and endurance, and facilitate reserve for contingencies on lunar and Martian missions."

To date, this project has demonstrated that a very modest amount of time invested in exercise using the multi-mode exercise device (M-MED) can produce substantial increases in muscle function and cardiovascular fitness. In particular, the fact that M-MED based exercise induces performance gains at many movement speeds suggests that it may be superior to more traditional methods. In total, these findings show that this equipment and these protocols developed specifically for space flight related application may provide a basis for broader use in situations where space and time constraints may limit access to effective exercise.

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