HUMAN ADAPTATION TO OUTER SPACE: GRAVITY REHABILITATIVE COUNTERMEASURES

Humans are the product of a biological and cultural adaptation to our Planet achieved in million years. Terrestrial models may be hardly transferred to extremely long space missions in which peculiar environmental conditions may affect locomotion, working capabilities, living conditions and well-being particularly. Absence or modification of gravity influences muscolo-skeletal conditions as demineralization (calcium loss in particular). Astronauts in a long journey could easily encounter osteoporosis and the break of bones without the possibility of re-entry for physical rehabilitation (such is the case of journey to Mars). Starting by the research done since 2006 (Schlacht at al. , 2009a,2009b) by the ZEROgYMN group (Rosato et al.,2012, Tinto et al.,2012) this presentation reports experiment in comparative states (such as: parabolic flight,earth gravity and neutral buoyancy) applying rehabilitation with comfortable, easy to use and non-intrusive equipment based mostly on rehabilitative isometric exercise. Movement capacity are also investigated. Findings will permit to create rehabilitation protocols helpful for astronauts working in zero gravity conditions.