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Illustrative Image. (Source: devdiscourse.com)
The study gathered data on bone density conditions among 17 astronauts, due to the lack of gravity in space as well as the ability to recover bone mineral density upon their return to Earth.
This group of astronauts consisted of 14 males and 3 females, with an average age of 47, who participated in space missions ranging from 4 to 7 months.
Results from the study indicate that 1 year after returning to Earth, astronauts exhibited an average of 2.1% decrease in bone mineral density in the spine – a bone in the lower back – and a 1.3% reduction in bone strength.
Among them, 9 astronauts couldn’t restore their bone mineral density post-spaceflight, implying permanent bone loss.
Professor Leigh Gabel from the University of Calgary, Canada, the lead author of the study, stated: “We already knew that astronauts experience bone loss during long-duration space travel. The novelty of this study is that we tracked these astronauts for a year after their missions to determine whether their bones recovered.”
According to Professor Gabel, astronauts suffer significant bone loss during roughly 6 months spent in space. This bone loss level is equivalent to that experienced by an elderly individual on Earth over 20 years. Astronauts could only recover about half of their bone density within 1 year of returning to Earth.
The cause of bone loss in space is attributed to the absence of the need for bones to support the body due to the weightless environment, unlike on Earth.
The study suggests that space agencies need to improve countermeasures for this issue, such as emphasizing exercise regimes and providing proper nutrition for astronauts.
Professor Gabel further explained, “During space travel, the bone structure of astronauts weakens, and in some cases, spinal bones do not fuse together. When astronauts return to Earth, the remaining bone connections can be reinforced, but the connections that have been broken in space cannot be restored. Consequently, overall bone structures of astronauts undergo permanent changes.”
The research team did not disclose the nationality of the participating astronauts but mentioned they were from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
This study, published in the journal Scientific Reports last week, offers deeper insights into the impact of space travel on the human body and the necessary measures to mitigate this impact. These findings are crucial for future ambitious space exploration missions./.