Spaceflight Osteopenia (Bone Atrophy)
Spaceflight osteopenia refers to the reduction in bone density that occurs during space travel. The depletion of bone mass experienced by astronauts could weaken the bones and is a consequential side effect of extended spaceflight. This could present critical problems when the astronauts return to a weight-bearing environment such as the Earth. Researchers speculate the number one cause of bone atrophy in space is weightlessness, where both the astronauts and the space shuttle is at ‘free fall’ due to no external forces acting on them. On Earth, gravity provides resistance to our muscles and bones which ensures our body stays strong enough to support our weight. In a microgravity environment, Prolonged
Spaceflight osteopenia refers to the reduction in bone density that occurs during space travel. The depletion of bone mass experienced by astronauts could weaken the bones and is a consequential side effect of extended spaceflight. This could present critical problems when the astronauts return to a weight-bearing environment such as the Earth. Researchers speculate the number one cause of bone atrophy in space is weightlessness, where both the astronauts and the space shuttle is at ‘free fall’ due to no external forces acting on them. On Earth, gravity provides resistance to our muscles and bones which ensures our body stays strong enough to support our weight. In a microgravity environment, Prolonged