Comments on: Despite Exercise, Zero-G Makes Astronauts as Wimpy as 80-Year-Olds http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/ 80beats is DISCOVER's news aggregator, weaving together the choicest tidbits from the best articles covering the day\'s most compelling topics. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:50:00 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: "As a scientist..." http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-25102 "As a scientist..." Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:54:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-25102 Your uncontrolled example describes more of a neurological adaptation (coordination, recruitment, synchronization, etc...) than a physiological change. Your uncontrolled example describes more of a neurological adaptation (coordination, recruitment, synchronization, etc…) than a physiological change.

]]> By: ken russell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23996 ken russell Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:37:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23996 Recent research focused on muscle synthesis has indicated that amino acid uptake is coincident with the presence of insulin, glucose, luceine, and heavy resistance. My diabetes intervention process seems to facilitate dramatic improvement in the ability to grow new muscles in diabetic humans. This process may be of benefit to humans that are losing muscle mass in weightless environments. I am a 59 year old recovered diabetic on no medication or insulin. I weigh 170 pounds and I am 6'1" tall. About seven months ago I got on a smith machine and set the bar with 230 pounds at six inches below full extension. I was able to perform 32 reps in three sets in about 10 minutes. I had never before attempted a weight of more than 125 pounds and that was five years before. Over the next 11 weeks I was able to add 10 pounds, each week, with only one 10 minute workout, to the highest weight of the previous week until I reached 340 pounds. I had not adjusted the height of the bar from the six inches below full extension. With the 340 pounds on the bar my shoulders were literally bent around the bench so that my full extension only raised the bar about 1.5 inches. This performance enhancement was attributable to the "two a day" applications of my diabetes treatment process and the tremendous increase in amino acid uptake into the skeletal muscles during extended recovery intervals. Regards, Ken Russell 832-655-6520 Recent research focused on muscle synthesis has indicated that amino acid
uptake is coincident with the presence of insulin, glucose,
luceine, and heavy resistance. My diabetes intervention process seems to
facilitate dramatic improvement in the ability to grow new muscles
in diabetic humans. This process may be of benefit to humans
that are losing muscle mass in weightless environments.

I am a 59 year old recovered diabetic on no medication or
insulin. I weigh 170 pounds and I am 6′1″ tall.

About seven months ago I got on a smith machine and set
the bar with 230 pounds at six inches below full extension.
I was able to perform 32 reps in three sets in about 10 minutes.
I had never before attempted a weight of more than 125 pounds
and that was five years before.

Over the next 11 weeks I was able to add 10 pounds, each week,
with only one 10 minute workout, to the highest weight of the previous week
until I reached 340 pounds. I had not adjusted the height of the bar from
the six inches below full extension. With the 340 pounds on the bar my
shoulders were literally bent around the bench so that my full extension
only raised the bar about 1.5 inches.

This performance enhancement was attributable to the “two a day”
applications of my diabetes treatment process and the tremendous
increase in amino acid uptake into the skeletal muscles during extended
recovery intervals.

Regards,

Ken Russell
832-655-6520

]]> By: casey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23649 casey Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:22:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23649 "They should probably discontinue all aerobic exercise in favor of high resistance work. Who cares about cardiovascular health for the few months in space?" The heart is a muscle too. “They should probably discontinue all aerobic exercise in favor of high resistance work. Who cares about cardiovascular health for the few months in space?”

The heart is a muscle too.

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23638 Jumblepudding Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:22:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23638 Human growth hormone might be a valid option instead of steroids to make stronger astronauts. The risks can't be that much greater compounded with getting shot into space and staying in a zero-G environment for months. Let the media get their panties in a bundle accusing NASA of doping our astronauts. They're not competing, they're doing work and research that can't be done anywhere on Earth. Human growth hormone might be a valid option instead of steroids to make stronger astronauts. The risks can’t be that much greater compounded with getting shot into space and staying in a zero-G environment for months. Let the media get their panties in a bundle accusing NASA of doping our astronauts. They’re not competing, they’re doing work and research that can’t be done anywhere on Earth.

]]> By: Rabiah http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23620 Rabiah Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:24:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23620 Brian, good point, and Gently, yours is one I've considered, but I'm not one for sweeping generalizations. I'm by no means a professional athlete, but I've learned enough as a recreational triathlete/runner to know that the 12lb rule is not a hard-and-fast one. Besides, short-term ISS residents likely wouldn't need prolonged preparation anyway. I am liking the resistance idea as well:-) Brian, good point, and Gently, yours is one I’ve considered, but I’m not one for sweeping generalizations. I’m by no means a professional athlete, but I’ve learned enough as a recreational triathlete/runner to know that the 12lb rule is not a hard-and-fast one. Besides, short-term ISS residents likely wouldn’t need prolonged preparation anyway.

I am liking the resistance idea as well:-)

]]> By: Mr. Gently http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23614 Mr. Gently Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:42:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23614 Rabiah, that's not a viable option unless you want the astronauts using steroids and such. An adult man can not grow even 5 kg of pure muscle in a year, without cheating. I hope you do realize that every single top body builder is basically a cheater. Rabiah,
that’s not a viable option unless you want the astronauts using steroids and such.
An adult man can not grow even 5 kg of pure muscle in a year, without cheating.

I hope you do realize that every single top body builder is basically a cheater.

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23463 Jumblepudding Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:40:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23463 I thought I was on to something with my idea, but alas, a band resistance suit is already patented for swimmers. I still say NASA should have a look. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5839122/description.html I thought I was on to something with my idea, but alas, a band resistance suit is already patented for swimmers. I still say NASA should have a look.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5839122/description.html

]]> By: Brian M http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23453 Brian M Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:42:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23453 They should probably discontinue all aerobic exercise in favor of high resistance work. Who cares about cardiovascular health for the few months in space? It's muscle mass and bone mass that will count for those short stints. Rabiah -- not a bad idea bulking up pre-liftoff but I think demineralization would happen at same pace as bone density wouldn't increase as much or as rapidly as muscle mass during the bulking up phase. I like some variation of Nick and Jumblepudding ideas that would in a sense mimic gravity. Combined with a stepped up resistance training regimen. They should probably discontinue all aerobic exercise in favor of high resistance work. Who cares about cardiovascular health for the few months in space? It’s muscle mass and bone mass that will count for those short stints. Rabiah — not a bad idea bulking up pre-liftoff but I think demineralization would happen at same pace as bone density wouldn’t increase as much or as rapidly as muscle mass during the bulking up phase. I like some variation of Nick and Jumblepudding ideas that would in a sense mimic gravity. Combined with a stepped up resistance training regimen.

]]> By: Rabiah http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23442 Rabiah Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:19:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23442 Given the negative effects of micro-gravity on bone density that earlier NASA studies have shown, this is a double-whammy for astronauts and space travelers. I wonder if a more simple solution is viable - train at high intensity before launch, building up muscle like a bodybuilder does while training for competition. Save for problems like having to alter the spacesuits in size, the in-space loss of muscle mass could return the astronaut to near-normal levels by the end of the trip. Is there any evidence that the bulky-to-normal transition (or repeated cycles of this) are particularly harmful? Seems like most of us do this anyway, during repeated love/hate relationships with the gym.... Given the negative effects of micro-gravity on bone density that earlier NASA studies have shown, this is a double-whammy for astronauts and space travelers. I wonder if a more simple solution is viable – train at high intensity before launch, building up muscle like a bodybuilder does while training for competition. Save for problems like having to alter the spacesuits in size, the in-space loss of muscle mass could return the astronaut to near-normal levels by the end of the trip. Is there any evidence that the bulky-to-normal transition (or repeated cycles of this) are particularly harmful? Seems like most of us do this anyway, during repeated love/hate relationships with the gym….

]]> By: Jumblepudding http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23440 Jumblepudding Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:07:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23440 what if they incorporated strong elastic resistance bands into the Atronauts' daily wear , so the legs, for instance, are under constant tension when extended, like standing on Earth? It would look futuristic, what with the ribbing all over the outfit, and maybe it could take off in the earthbound sector as well. what if they incorporated strong elastic resistance bands into the Atronauts’ daily wear , so the legs, for instance, are under constant tension when extended, like standing on Earth? It would look futuristic, what with the ribbing all over the outfit, and maybe it could take off in the earthbound sector as well.

]]> By: Nick http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/comment-page-1/#comment-23379 Nick Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:20:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/09/despite-exercise-zero-g-turns-astronauts-as-wimpy-as-80-year-olds/#comment-23379 Why don't they just butt-weld a bowflex-like apparatus into a human-shaped articulated frame and have them do chores strapped into it? Why don’t they just butt-weld a bowflex-like apparatus into a human-shaped articulated frame and have them do chores strapped into it?

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