Being in space damages the skeletal muscles that allow you to stand upright.

A team of Japanese scientists investigated how microgravity conditions can damage skeletal muscles that

important for maintaining posture.They are located on the limbs, back, neck, they are also called “anti-gravity” because they help carry loads, stand up straight and move against gravity. The researchers' work suggests that the effects of microgravity could have significant consequences for astronauts returning from long periods in space.

The team studied the neuromuscular propertiesastronauts who have spent long periods of time in space. These muscles are located in the calf and inner thigh and are responsible for load transfer and help maintain an upright position in normal gravity. In microgravity, these muscles are "unloaded", they have nothing to act on, which leads to a gradual atrophy of their fibers and nerves.

The authors of the study studied how morphological,the functional and metabolic properties of the neuromuscular system respond to gravitational unloading in microgravity and lower gravity. To do this, they ran human and rodent simulations and studied how motor neuron signals between skeletal muscle and the central nervous system regulate neuromuscular properties.

Their analysis confirmed that these signals playa key role in the regulation of muscle properties and brain activity. They reduce the structural units of muscles, which leads to a decrease in their development, leading to atrophy. The results of the study show that exposure to low gravity affects muscles and nerves, resulting in poor motor control.

These findings are consistent with the symptomsastronauts reported after returning to Earth. They had difficulty walking despite regular physical activity aboard the ISS - using treadmills, exercise bikes and resistance training. Their work also showed that additional problems could arise if astronauts were in microgravity for six months or more, such as during a potential trip to Mars.

Research also points to possible solutionsProblems. To begin with, they recommend stimulating the plantar muscle during exercise, which can be done by running or walking slowly on a treadmill, landing on the back of the foot. The addition of cords for additional resistance and periodic passive stretching of the plantar muscle also reduces the risk of atrophy. This research may play an important role in the development of appropriate countermeasures for future long-term space flights.

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