For those who set fitness
goals as part of their New Year's resolutions, NASA astronauts who have
lived aboard the International Space Station have a few tips to face the
challenge. Astronauts on the station are required to work out as much as
two hours each day.
After a five-month stay on the station, astronaut Clay Anderson
returned to Earth in November and is in the midst of a strict exercise
regimen to regain top physical shape.
Although working out in weightlessness may sound easy, it comes with
unique challenges that can make it harder and less appealing than
exercising on Earth.
"You have to attack it incrementally," Anderson said. "You have to stay
with it. Every day you have to figure out a way to get yourself to do it.
You have to set a goal that motivates you, whether it is new clothes, a
class reunion this summer, losing 20 pounds - or being in good shape when
you land on Earth."
Astronauts often live and work aboard the station for six months or
more at a time. The daily workout is key to minimizing bone density and
muscle loss that can occur during long stays in space. The exercise
sessions can include workouts on a treadmill with straps that pull down the
astronauts to simulate gravity, a stationary bicycle and an exercise device
that uses tension to imitate weightlifting in zero gravity.
Video of Anderson and other astronauts working out in space will air on
NASA Television's Video File, beginning at noon.
Source: Nasa
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