Recently a video surfaced of Chinese astronauts working out on the Tianhe core module
of the Chinese space station, Tiangong. I fount it quite fascinating, but more
importantly, it got the wheels turning in my head. Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in
space, and how astronauts workout on the Chinese and International space station?
Stay with me as I unpack astronauts’ fitness regimen.
In this video, I’m going to dive into why working out in space is even more important than on earth,
and why skipping a workout session isn’t an option for astronauts.
Let’s look at this clip from Tiangong Space Station, where Chinese taikonauts are working out
with various exercise equipment, designed specifically, for use in space.
Workout is mandatory for astronauts while they are living on space stations. And that’s because
of the effect microgravity has on human body. The weightlessness caused in space due to no,
or highly reduced, gravity, causes human to lose bone density and muscle mass.
To counter these effects, astronauts need to workout,
typically, 2 to 3 hours every day while in space. The three astronauts onboard Tiangong
exercise everyday after work. Research has shown that focusing on
high-intensity, resistive and aerobic workouts is the most effective way
to protect astronauts’ bone and muscle health. In space, the heart's pumping action, also works
differently. The lack of gravity means the heart must work harder to circulate blood to the feet.
To counteract those effects, and to preserve muscle and bone strength in microgravity,
astronauts spend more than two hours a day exercising in space.
They use specially-designed equipment, such as treadmill, stationary bike, resistance machines,
or do simple stretching exercises, to keep fit. On earth, we have gravity provide
weight to things, creating resistance. In the microgravity environment of space,
there is no naturally occurring resistance. For that reason, astronauts use specially designed
exercise equipment and some other tricks to get a good workout.
For example, astronauts use a specially designed treadmill called treadmill 2 or T2.
This treadmill comes with two tethers, or bungees, that astronauts get hooked up to,
so they won’t float away every time they take a step, on their run.
They also use Advanced Resistive Exercise Device, or ARED, which can be configured
for dozens of different workouts- bicep curls, squats, military curls,
deadlifts, calf raises, bench press, you name it. Another way that astronauts on the space station
get their cardiovascular exercise, is to use a stationary bicycle.
These specially designed space bikes give astronauts probably
their most intense cardiovascular workout. Since astronauts don’t use their legs in
space as much as we do on Earth, biking helps them maintain their leg muscles.
The coolest part about these space bikes is, that they have no seat or handlebars, because such
features aren't necessary in microgravity. However, the source of the most intensive
workout for astronauts comes in the form of Extra Vehicular Activity, commonly knows as spacewalks.
Spacewalks are a routine part of work in orbit. Astronauts spend
anywhere from 6 to 15 days a year outside of the station for upkeep, repairs and experiments.
Depending on the job, each spacewalk lasts anywhere from 5 hours to 8 hours.
Spacewalks can be a demanding task. They are a full-body workout, and they tend to burn
~1,500-2,500 calories during one full assignment. That’s about equal to running 2/3 of a marathon.
And finally, the coolest fun fact about astronauts’ workout in space.
The space station orbits Earth about every 91 minutes. Which means, by the time an astronaut
completes their workout session, they have orbited earth nearly one and half times.
Now this is what I call the most out-of-this-world
workout humans can do. Thanks for watching!