ERBAL
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
- …
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
ERBAL
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
- …
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
A Novel Resistance Exercise Machine for Use in a Lower Body Negative Pressure Box to Counteract the Effects of Weightlessness
By Dr. Christine Walck and Dr. Charles Reinholtz
Objective:
Physiological deconditioning is a critical problem in space, especially during long-term missions. Resistance exercise coupled with lower body negative pressure (LBNP) has been shown to be effective in counteracting some of the deconditioning related problems. The development of a compact and effective resistance exercise machine that works within an LBNP box has, however, proven to be difficult.
- The exercise machine for the LBNP box was designed to prevent microgravity-induced deconditioning by simulating physiological and biomechanical features of upright exercise and daily activities. This experimental combination determines whether the kinematics, musculoskeletal loadings, and metabolic rate during supine exercise within LBNP are similar to those of an upright posture in Earth gravity (1G).
- The compact, easily transportable, multi-platform device was designed to simulate both exercise and the daily activity of sitting. The exercise portion of the device, the leg press, creates stress on the lower extremities by supplying a variable resistance to a reciprocating foot pedal. This resistance is created from a coil spring and damper system acting through a 4-bar linkage. The resisting force increases as a function of leg extension to maximize work done by the user in each cycle of motion. The sitting portion of the multi-platform device creates a resistance applied to the posterior side of the lower extremities by the use of a chair. The chair is adjustable in angle to fit each subject and to simulate a force two-thirds body weight (BW). Humans sit between six and eight hours a day, which means that the posterior side is accustomed to these forces.
- The multi-platform is paired with an existing LBNP box to add an evenly distributed pressure-induced stress to the lower extremities. By combining resistance exercise and lower body negative pressure, the subject will experience one or more times BW in stress on their musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems. By achieving 1BW or greater (artificial gravity) during exercise and 2/3BW during sitting, the gap between the precondition and postcondition syndrome will become smaller.
- The largest single-leg forces during resistance exercise were 1.16 BW (232lbs) during supine position when γ, the angle between the horizontal and the ground pivot on the right side of the mechanism, equals 187 degrees and minimal at 0.68 BW (136lbs) when γ equals 177 degrees. We conclude that the leg press apparatus was able to elicit loads comparable to exercise on Earth since the forces were greater than 1BW and predict that when paired with LBNP the maximum resistance load can be as low as 196 lbf when the LBNP is set for the recommended 50 mmHg to achieve, at maximum, 2BW.
- The purpose of the leg press apparatus is to collect and establish a database under both terrestrial conditions and microgravity environments such as the ISS, to enhance medical researchers’ understanding of how LBNP paired with exercise impacts osteoporosis, orthostatic intolerance, and cardiovascular health. This unique combination is also believed to have the technology to enhance rehabilitation protocols.
PartnersThe Microgravity Centre (Centro de Microgravidade)at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, BrazilU.S. Naval Research LabEdison ProgramWashington, DCPublications
- Dailey, C.M., A Novel Resistance Exercise Machine for Use in a Lower Body Negative Pressure Box to Counteract the Effects of Weightlessness, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Thesis, 2013.
Products
US 9,789,356 B@ Date of Patent: Oct. 17, 2017
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