Exercise Preserves Astronauts’ Heart Health on Long Space Flights

Exercise Preserves Astronauts' Heart Health on Long Space Flights

How Exercise Keeps Astronauts’ Hearts Healthy in Space

Introduction

Being in space for an extended period of time can have profound effects on the human body. Astronauts often experience a dramatic loss in blood pressure and muscle mass due to the microgravity conditions they encounter. However, a recent study from scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas has shown that extensive exercise regimens are keeping astronauts’ hearts healthy and protecting them during long-duration space missions. These findings not only have implications for treating gravity-related diseases but also for planning longer missions, such as trips to Mars.

Maintaining Heart Function in Space

The study, led by senior author Dr. Benjamin Levine, a professor of internal medicine in the division of cardiology at UT Southwestern, examined data from 13 astronauts who had missions on the International Space Station (ISS) between 2009 and 2013. These missions lasted an average of 155 days. The researchers measured blood pressure, the amount of blood pumped per beat, and blood flow per minute before, during, and after each astronaut’s mission. They also used cardiac MRI scans to assess heart anatomy.

The Effects of Microgravity on the Heart

In space, the lack of gravity means that astronauts’ bodies don’t have to work as hard to counteract its effects. This is similar to the experience of being on bed rest. As a result, the heart muscle mass decreases by an average of 1% per week, and the volume of blood that the heart holds also drops. Previous studies had shown a dilation of the atria in astronauts, which could put them at risk for atrial fibrillation during longer missions. Therefore, Levine and his team are now studying this possibility.

The Effectiveness of Exercise

The study found that the two hours of exercise the astronauts performed daily on the ISS, which included both strength training and aerobic activity, were effective in protecting their hearts. Despite the decrease in blood pressure and heart performance during spaceflight, both the left and right ventricles showed no decrease in muscle mass, and the amount of blood pumped out of the heart remained the same. This suggests that the training astronauts undergo in space can mitigate the risks associated with extended space missions.

Implications for Future Missions

These findings have important implications for future space exploration, particularly for planning longer missions like those to Mars. Understanding how exercise can help preserve heart function and morphology during extended periods of microgravity can aid in the development of strategies to protect astronauts’ health. Furthermore, these insights could also have applications in the treatment of diseases on Earth where gravity plays a role.

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Conclusion

The study conducted by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center highlights the effectiveness of exercise in keeping astronauts’ hearts healthy during extended space missions. Despite the challenges posed by microgravity conditions, the research showed no loss of heart mass or output and no loss of function in the heart’s ventricles. While the findings are specific to the astronaut population, they offer valuable insights into the plasticity of the heart and how it can adapt to changes in physical activity. As we venture further into space, understanding how our bodies respond and finding ways to mitigate the effects of microgravity will be crucial to ensuring the health and well-being of astronauts.