{"id":3271322,"date":"2025-02-25T14:41:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T19:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.futurity.org\/?p=3271322"},"modified":"2025-02-27T10:47:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T15:47:30","slug":"jumping-exercise-astronauts-cartilage-damage-3271322","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.futurity.org\/jumping-exercise-astronauts-cartilage-damage-3271322\/","title":{"rendered":"Jumping exercises could help astronauts avoid cartilage damage"},"content":{"rendered":"
Jumping workouts could help astronauts prevent the type of cartilage damage they are likely to endure during lengthy missions to Mars and the moon, a new study suggests.<\/p>\n
The research adds to ongoing efforts by space agencies to protect astronauts against deconditioning or getting out of shape due to low gravity, a crucial aspect of their ability to perform spacewalks, handle equipment and repairs, and carry out other physically demanding tasks.<\/p>\n
The study, which shows knee cartilage in mice grew healthier following jumping exercises, appears in the journal npj Microgravity<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n “Since the next step in human exploration of space is going to Mars and spending long periods of time in permanent bases on the moon, cartilage damage is a really major issue that space agencies need to address despite how very poorly understood it is,” says Marco Chiaberge, a Johns Hopkins University astrophysicist who led the research.<\/p>\n “The positive effect we saw in these mice is huge, and the magnitude of it was unexpected. They can basically make their cartilage thicker if they jump. Maybe astronauts could use similar training before their flight as a preventive measure.”<\/p>\n Key takeaways:<\/p>\n Healthy cartilage is essential for pain-free movement, as it cushions joints and decreases bone friction. But cartilage heals slowly and does not regenerate as fast as other tissue. Prolonged periods of inactivity\u2014whether from bed rest, injury, or space travel\u2014can accelerate cartilage breakdown. Space radiation can also accelerate this effect, and European Space Agency experiments have shown evidence of cartilage degradation in astronauts who spend several months aboard the International Space Station.<\/p>\n “Think about sending somebody on a trip to Mars, they get there and they can’t walk because they developed osteoarthritis<\/a> of the knees or the hips and their joints don’t function,” says Chiaberge, who also is an astronomer at the Space Telescope 糖心视频 Institute and the European Space Agency.<\/p>\n “Astronauts also perform spacewalks often. They serviced the Hubble Space Telescope five times, and in the future, they will need to spend more time in space and the Moon, where we will build larger telescopes to explore the universe and where they will need to stay as healthy as possible<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Previous research has shown that treadmill running may help slow cartilage breakdown in rodents. The new study adds to the evidence by demonstrating that jump-based exercise may prevent articular cartilage loss in knees and could actually improve cartilage health.<\/p>\n The researchers found that mice in a nine-week program of reduced movement experienced cartilage thinning and cellular clustering, both early indicators of arthritis. But mice that performed jump training three times a week showed the opposite effect\u2014thicker, healthier cartilage with normal cellular structure.<\/p>\n The study found the mice with reduced movement had a 14% reduction in cartilage thickness, while those in the jump-training group had a 26% increase compared to a control group. Additionally, the jumping mice had 110% thicker cartilage than the reduced activity group.<\/p>\n Jumping also enhanced bone strength. The team found shin bones in the jumping mice had 15% higher mineral density. Trabecular bone\u2014spongy bone tissue that absorbs impact\u2014was significantly thicker and more robust.<\/p>\n\n