Feasibility of monitoring muscle health in microgravity environments using Myoton technology

Physical exercise is important for people living under extreme environmental conditions to stay healthy. Particularly in space, exercise can partially counteract the loss of muscle mass and muscle strength caused by microgravity. Monitoring the adaptation of the musculoskeletal system to assess musc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical & biological engineering & computing 2015-01, Vol.53 (1), p.57-66
Main Authors: Schneider, Stefan, Peipsi, Aleko, Stokes, Maria, Knicker, Axel, Abeln, Vera
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis
Arthritis
Astronauts
Aviation
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
Biomedicine
Computer Applications
Devices
Electronic monitoring
Environment
Exercise
Feasibility Studies
Female
Gravitation
Gravity
Health
Human Physiology
Humans
Imaging
Male
Mechanical properties
Medical research
Medical screening
Microgravity
Middle Aged
Monitors
Muscle strength
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Muscles
Musculoskeletal system
Original Article
Parkinson's disease
Physiology
Physiology - methods
Quality assessment
Radiology
Space stations
Stroke
Studies
Tendons
Tendons - physiology
Weightlessness
Weightlessness - adverse effects
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Summary:Physical exercise is important for people living under extreme environmental conditions to stay healthy. Particularly in space, exercise can partially counteract the loss of muscle mass and muscle strength caused by microgravity. Monitoring the adaptation of the musculoskeletal system to assess muscle quality and devise individual training programmes is highly desirable but is restricted by practical, technical and time constraints on board the International Space Station. This study aimed to test the feasibility of using myometric measurements to monitor the mechanical properties of skeletal muscles and tendons in weightlessness during parabolic flights. The mechanical properties (frequency, decrement, stiffness relaxation time and creep) of the m. gastrocnemius, m. erector spinae and Achilles tendon were assessed using the hand-held MyotonPRO device in 11 healthy participants (aged 47 ± 9 years) in normal gravity as well as in microgravity during two parabolic flight campaigns. Results showed significant ( p  
ISSN:0140-0118
1741-0444
DOI:10.1007/s11517-014-1211-5