Running sideways on the moon was the key to an important discovery

A vertical vertical structure can help perform the necessary physical activity

Scientists have studied the effects of microgravity and reduced gravity on the human body. This causes several problems such as muscle atrophy and bone demineralization. In a new article, Italian scientists have published a low-tech solution: “horizontal running inside the round walls of lunar settlements.”

Photo: freepik.com

Alberto Minetti and his co-authors note that specific exercises for specific problems may not be the best approach. The fact is that in microgravity the cardiovascular system suffers, as well as the nervous system’s control over body position and movements.

“Instead of training only specific muscle groups, it is better to use exercises for the whole body, such as movement, — they explain. — But with lunar gravity and “pendulum” gravity walking and bouncing gait, such as running, exhibit abnormal dynamics at higher speeds.”

The anomalous dynamics mean that astronauts don't get much benefit from this type of exercise. This is prevented, according to physiologists, by an imbalance between the kinetic and potential energy of the body's center of mass. This means that physical activity cannot be used to perform the same exercises as on Earth.

«In addition, lunar gravity reduces the metabolic demands of a bouncing gait, limiting its potential stimulus for cardiorespiratory activity.” , — the authors explain.

There are several potential solutions to help lunar astronauts maintain their health in low gravity environments. One of them is a centrifuge, the rotational motion of which mimics gravity, stimulating the body to maintain muscle and bone mass. But they are energy-intensive and impractical.

The authors propose an original solution: a well or a “wall of death” — a structure with vertical walls in the form of an ellipse. This type of exercise, according to the study authors, will help maintain muscle mass, bone density, cardiovascular health and the nervous system.

On Earth, gravity is too strong for people to run around inside the well of death. Only motorized vehicles and bicycles can do this. But on the Moon, weaker gravity makes them practical.

Researchers simulated lunar water sports and tested their functionality. They hired an instructor for a day and used a bungee cord to reduce the participants' body weight, simulating the reduced gravity on the Moon.

Two people took part in the tests: a 36-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman. Long rubber ropes — bungee — were adjusted so that each participant's weight was one-sixth of their body weight. The bungees relieved one side of the subjects' bodies to further simulate lunar conditions. The respondents' data were combined with the figures obtained during exercise on the treadmill to ensure the reliability of the results.

“This process only took 5-8 attempts and allowed them to start running without assistance,— the authors say. — Participants completed the experiment by safely slowing down and moving from a horizontal position on the wall to a vertical position on the floor of the well, without any injury.

The authors believe they have successfully demonstrated the basics of using a wall of death to maintain the health of lunar astronauts.

“We've shown for the first time that people can safely run horizontally in low gravity inside a cylinder the size of Earth's 'water.'” thanks to self-generated artificial gravity at a higher speed,” — they explain.

Researchers are confident that the idea of ​​the “Wall of Death” may help lunar astronauts cope with the chronic effects of lunar gravity. At the same time, they are aware of the small sample size and other limitations of the study.

«Recognizing the small sample size, the difficulty of determining kinematics in such an unusual field experiment, and that specific studies in the field of bedding will be required to clarify this topic regime, we are confident in our results,” — the researchers conclude.

Astronauts using the well of death in the future will create “a sufficiently high lateral self-generated artificial gravity that can maintain several short, almost “Earth-like” gravity. running laps per day, acceptable cardiomotor fitness and bone mineral composition, which is useful for movement and work in place, as well as for preparing for a long flight to Mars and returning home.