Definition
When exposed to extended periods of weightlessness, the bones lose both size and strength, increasing their risk of fracture.
Introduction
The fact that human crew members lose bone mass during extended spaceflight has been well documented over the last three decades. Less well defined is degree to which fracture risk is elevated, given expected declines in bone mineral density (BMD) and changes in bone geometry, in otherwise healthy and fit crew members. Moderate reductions in BMD pose little risk to crew members as long as they remain in microgravity; it is the transition to work activity in partial or full gravity (g) environments that increases risk of bone fracture. Bone fractures, should they occur during projected exploration-class missions, pose a significant risk to crew health and to achieving mission objectives. The public rarely hears about a related concern that bone loss incurred in-flight might hasten the onset of frank osteoporosis (defined as BMD >2.5...
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Bloomfield, S.A. (2019). Bone Loss. In: Young, L., Sutton, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Bioastronautics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10152-1_95-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10152-1_95-1
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