Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Since mankind’s first spaceflight, a significant barricade in reaching distant planets has been the damaging effects of microgravity upon the human body. Effects range from loss in bone mineral density and severe muscle atrophy to autoimmune disorders. The most effective countermeasure of these effects to date is exercise. Implementation of exercise in microgravity is not an easy task, so various specialized equipment must be utilized to effectively administer it. Even with this equipment, exercise as it is currently used does not entirely prevent body systems from undergoing detrimental changes. New modalities and implementations are currently being investigated that may significantly improve the ability of exercise to prevent major losses during long-distance spaceflight and allow for space agencies to put humans on another planet within the next few decades.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Scott Lyons, Ph.D.

Disciplines

Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Physical Therapy

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