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Swedish space gym being tested by astronauts (Forwarded)



 
 
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Old May 10th 08, 12:07 AM posted to sci.space.news
Andrew Yee[_1_]
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Default Swedish space gym being tested by astronauts (Forwarded)

Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet)

Press contact:
Lars Aronsson
Phone: 063-16 53 36
Fax: 063-16 54 54

Per Tesch, professor
Phone: +46 (0)76-821 92 19

08/05/08

Swedish space gym being tested by astronauts

The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) is presently testing a
Swedish space gym. The gym was developed by Per Tesch, a professor at Mid
Sweden University. The aim is to counteract muscle atrophy and osteoporosis
in astronauts.

Astronauts who spend a long time in space can face problems when they return
to earth. Weightlessness atrophies the muscles and decalcifies the skeleton.
It doesn't help to "pump iron." Barbells and dumbbells are also weightless
on a space voyage.

But Per Tesch and his colleagues have found a solution that functions like a
reverse yo-yo. The inertia of a rotating flywheel is exploited to create
resistance. The astronaut velcros him/herself in place and pulls a cord that
is connected to the flywheel. The wheel only weighs a couple of kilos, but
its diameter makes the inertia considerable, and the load on the muscles and
skeleton is at least as great as in weight training.

Per Tesch has researched the topic for 15 years on commission from both the
Swedish National Space Board and its American counterpart, NASA. The "yo-yo"
is now being tested in space for first time. It was recently delivered by
the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis to the ISS, which is part of a European
laboratory.

"It's fantastic. I have been working a long time for this," says Per Tesch.

He hasn't received any reports about how it's going.

"It's still secret, but we'll know in a few months."

Per Tesch was appointed professor of sports science at Mid Sweden University
last autumn. The findings from his research in space physiology will be put
to use in developing training methods for sports, exercise, and
rehabilitation.
 




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