Irish technologies to keep astronauts fit and healthy in space

Helping astronauts deal with 'accelerated ageing' and a lack of exercise in space are the focus of two European Space Agency research contracts awarded to Irish researchers and this was showen on RTE 1 Six News - European Space Agancy,
The best way to simulate microgravity on earth is to get people to lie in bed between 21-60 days. Dr O'Gorman will simulate the effect of artificial gravity using a specialist human centrifuge in Toulouse. In a separate study, he will be investigating the impact of a nutritional countermeasure (whey protein and a salt) on changes in metabolism and skeletal muscle mass. Both studies will help astronauts who go to space, but also have implications for healthcare on Earth, especially for the ageing process.

Dr Brian Caulfield is the Director of Technology Research for Independent Living Centre and Principal Investigator in CLARITY Centre at UCD and is currently leading the testing of this novel Neuromuscular Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise technology on a parabolic flight campaign in Bordeaux, France.

More information here http://ow.ly/87yyt

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Irish
• technologies
• to
• keep
• astronauts
• fit
• and
• healthy
• in
• space
• Technology
• Health
• Health Care
• enterprise
• Ireland
• European
• Space
• Agency