An Unfeasible Experiment: ZER0GYM. Current State and Prospects.

The Rhythmic Gymnastics in microgravity to improve the Human Movement in Space is the theme of a project we have tried to develop with the Turin University SUISM students with the support of the space industry in Turin (Thales Alenia), during 0g occasion such as “parabolic flights”. The proposal is to evaluate the difference in the sound/rhythm perception and gymnastics action on Earth and in Microgravity, taking the opportunity to study the particular aspect of human movement and the sensitivity expressed by this Olympic sport. The research spread out from the experience of the French choreographer Kitsou Dubois. This experiment evaluates the effect of removing the fundamental force of gravity (an so the weight!) in a motion study in which gravity is essential. In fact, the Gravity is the main environmental factor and the more stable evolutionary adaptation to our planet. The final proposal aspect is to contribute to improving the habitability welfare during long-duration space missions in which physical activity becomes a major factor in the astronauts success and efficiency. The project was developed during an ESA parabolic flight (experiment chromosome awarded by the European Low-Gravity ELGRA Association) during which Irene Schlacht and Henrik Birke have made some in flight exercises during empty parabolas as a test of feasibility of the experiment proposed (Schlacht et al., 2008). In view of new experiments was carried out a specific Rhythmic Gymnastics protocol ad hoc for the microgravity conditions