Scientists at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) have developed a method for predicting changes in the human muscular system under different levels of gravity. According to "Gazeta.Ru", the development will allow for advance calculation of the load on the body under lunar and Martian gravity, which are approximately 1/6 and 3/8 of Earth's gravity, respectively.
During space flight, muscle mass decreases due to the absence of constant support load, fluid redistribution in the body, and changes in muscle cells. To predict how different muscle groups will behave, reliable mathematical models are needed. According to Ksenia Safronova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of "Ecology, Life Support Systems and Life Safety" at MAI, the obtained data will help determine how quickly and significantly muscle condition will change under a specific gravitational load.
Based on the calculations, training methods can be selected and work-rest schedules can be controlled, forming individual programs to maintain performance throughout the mission. The method is also in demand for designing exoskeletons – devices that enhance human movements through an external frame and electric drives. It will allow for a more precise determination of the required degree of support and optimal operating modes. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology.