Did you know astronauts lose bone density and muscle mass when spending more than a month in space, even if they routinely work out? It鈥檚 true and two University of Louisville researchers are working with NASA on ways to keep astronauts healthier while they鈥檙e in outer space.
John Caruso and Kathy Carter are colleagues in the department of health and sport sciences. They鈥檝e completed one preliminary study using the Impulse rapid exercise machine that simulates the weightlessness of space. They found that working out in this machine suppressed the breakdown in a person鈥檚 heel bone, the first to show signs of density loss among astronauts.
鈥淭his is potentially big news for NASA鈥 Caruso said.
The UofL faculty members are also launching another study of an astronaut鈥檚 diet. NASA has traditionally prescribed a Paleo diet but Caruso and Carter think a diet that鈥檚 heavier in protein and carbohydrates might be better for the athletic astronauts who are doing rigorous workouts every day.
鈥淐hanging diet is tough for anybody, but especially when you鈥檙e up in space and really want comfort food. It鈥檚 going to be hard to convince them this is what they really need to do,鈥 Carter said. 鈥淏ut if we can show it鈥檚 going to make them healthier on their return to earth, that鈥檚 going to be a big motivator.鈥 聽
Hear more about Caruso and Carter鈥檚 research in their interview on ““
