As we all know, there is no gravity in the space. This fact causes physical and physiological changes in the astronauts, who, when returning to the Earth, reap the consequences. But you know what happens to an astronaut's bones in space? See below the result of staying long periods in space without putting your feet on the ground!
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What is bone density?
Also called bone mineral density (BMD), it is the weight per square centimeter of calcium in a piece of bone. It is basically the way used to determine the resistance of the bones, because the greater the density, the denser and more resistant it is.
The bone density of astronauts
By spending long periods in space, astronauts can lose decades of bone density, and the longer they stay away from Earth, the more density they lose.
This was a result of the study published this year in the journal Scientific Reports, which evaluated the bone density in the wrist and ankle of 17 astronauts who spent time on the Space Station International.
In this case, upon returning to Earth, it was noticed that the density of these bones was equivalent to what astronauts would lose approximately 10 years of life from now, since with advancing age, the tendency is to decrease the density mineral.
Other studies had already concluded that each month in space, astronauts lose 1 to 2% of the density in all bones.
Lasting effects
Everything would be fine if the density was recovered, right? However, what happens is that even several years after returning to Earth, astronauts will still reap the effects of being away from gravity.
For this reason, it is recommended that there be a series of specific training sessions to stimulate the production of bone mass, with the “deadlift” being the most recommended exercise.
Finally, the good news is that astronauts tend not to notice this loss of bone density, particularly those who are under 40 years old, as osteoporosis is a silent disease, which, if not taken care of, only has effects in the elderly.
