Zero-Gravity Muscle Loss Prevention-SCE 1

     Ever since the first human space flights in the 60s, people have been fascinated with traveling off Earth. However, the consequences of prolonged flights can have catastrophic effects. With no gravity, muscle synthesis rates plummet and muscle mass is lost. But scientists have discovered a way to possibly prevent such problems. Using  human-spinning centrifuges that make a full rotation every two seconds, astronauts can experience a feeling of gravity and can preserve their muscle synthesis rate.
     Experiments at the UTMB Clinical Research Center show that patients using the centrifuges for just one hour a day keep a high muscle synthesis rate, while the control group had their synthesis rate cut almost in half. While scientists are still unsure if this method will work (muscle synthesis is only one part of keeping good muscle tone), it is a good indicator that the centrifuges could help the astronauts greatly on long journeys.

• Will the centrifuge be in space with the astronauts? If so, how will it fit? According to images, human-friendly centrifuges are large.
• What is the difference between muscle synthesis and muscle mass in terms of importance for the body?
• Why do scientists say that muscle synthesis cannot accurately measure muscle health?

Sciencenews.com. (2009). Experiments Show 'Artificial Gravity' Can Prevent Muscle Loss In Space. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722165459.htm