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The Musculo-Skeletal System in Space

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Fundamentals of Space Medicine

Part of the book series: Space Technology Library ((SPTL,volume 23))

Abstract

Muscle and bone form as a result of life in a 1-g environment and the mechanical forces exerted on the body. In microgravity, support muscles such as those in the calf and thigh decline in volume, strength, and mass. Similarly, bones lose calcium, the mineral from which they derive their structure and strength, through the process of demineralization. Is the reported loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs during spaceflight self-limiting or does it continue? Is it permanent or is it reversible? Could the parallel loss of muscular strength and coordination jeopardize the return of piloted spacecraft or limit work capability and performance for surface operations on Mars? This chapter examines the effects of spaceflight on structure and function of the ­musculo-skeletal system, what the implications of such changes might be for long-­duration exploratory missions, and what countermeasures might be employed to ­prevent undesirable changes (Figure 5.1)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    An easy way to memorize the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is the following: osteoblasts are bone-building cells, whereas osteoclasts are bone-crushing cells.

  2. 2.

    Jon Stewart demanded he be honored similarly but turned down NASA’s offer to name the ISS Urine Processor “Space Toilet Environmental Waste Accumulator/Recycling Thingy.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Space University, Strasbourg, France

    Gilles Clément

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  1. Gilles Clément
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Correspondence to Gilles Clément .

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Clément, G. (2011). The Musculo-Skeletal System in Space. In: Fundamentals of Space Medicine. Space Technology Library, vol 23. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9905-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9905-4_5

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