Gastrocnemius Medialis Contractile Behavior During Running Differs Between Simulated Lunar and Martian Gravities

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Abstract

Abstract The international partnership of space agencies has agreed to proceed forward to the Moon sustainably. Activities on the Lunar surface (0.16g) will allow crewmembers to advance the exploration skills needed when expanding human presence to Mars (0.38g). Whilst data from actual hypogravity activities are limited to the Apollo missions, simulation studies have indicated that ground reaction forces, mechanical work, muscle activation and joint angles decrease with declining gravity level. However, these alterations in locomotion biomechanics do not necessarily scale to gravity level, the reduction in gastrocnemius medialis activation even appears to level off around 0.2g, whilst muscle activation pattern remains similar. Thus, it is difficult to predict whether gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running on Moon will basically be the same as on Mars. Therefore, this study investigated lower limb joint kinematics and gastrocnemius medialis behavior during running at 1g, simulated 0.38g and 0.16g on the vertical treadmill facility. The results reveal that hypogravity-induced alterations in joint kinematics and contractile behavior still persist between simulated running on Moon and Mars. This contrasts the idea of a ceiling effect and should be carefully considered when evaluating exercise prescriptions and the transferability of locomotion practiced in Lunar gravity to Martian gravity.

Authors 9

1. Charlotte Richter corresponding Aachen Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, Aachen

2. Bjoern Braunstein

   German Sport University Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   German Sport University Cologne, Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Cologne

3. Benjamin Staeudle Aachen Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, Aachen

4. Julia Attias

   King's College London

   Affiliation as printed

   King‘s College London, Centre of Human and Applied Physiological Sciences

5. Alexander Suess

   European Space Agency · European Astronaut Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   European Astronaut Centre (EAC), European Space Agency, Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), Cologne

6. Katya N. Mileva

   London South Bank University

   Affiliation as printed

   London South Bank University, School of Applied Sciences

7. Jörn Rittweger

   Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne

8. David Alan Green

   European Space Agency · European Astronaut Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   European Astronaut Centre (EAC), European Space Agency, Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), Cologne

9. Kirsten Albracht Aachen Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, Aachen