Abstract
It has been hypothesized that bone loss arising from long-duration space travel is caused by a reduction in mechanical stimuli to the skeleton. The daily load stimulus (DLS) theory was first proposed to relate daily time histories of mechanical loading from ground reaction forces to bone homeostasis. In this methods paper, an enhanced daily load stimulus (EDLS) is proposed to account for recently developed theories on saturation and recovery of the osteogenic potential of bone with repeated cyclic loading and the potential benefits of standing. To determine periods of continuous activity (sitting, standing, walking, running, and other activity), an activity determination algorithm based on entire days of in-shoe forces was developed. The rainflow peak counting method was used to analyze the in-shoe force data from entire working days in preparation for the calculation of the EDLS. Parameters characterizing saturation and recovery with cyclical loading from running and walking as well as the effects of standing were estimated based on data in the literature. The activity algorithm proved to be accurate and robust when applied to in-shoe force data from entire waking days. The EDLS may be useful in prescribing "dose-based" exercise prescriptions to crewmembers during long-duration spaceflights and missions to the Moon and Mars. Validation of the proposed EDLS model will be possible with data from an ongoing human bed rest study examining changes in bone mineral density with controlled skeletal loading.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.