ROOM
48
Astronautics
E
ver since our ancestors started walking
upright, the human body has adapted to
the effects of gravity. For example, during
standing the human heart - despite being
located below the brain - is able to pump enough
blood to the brain against the force of gravity to
maintain proper brain function. The pooling of
blood in the legs - which occurs due to
gravitational forces - is counteracted by the
muscle pump in the lower limbs by one-way leg
venous valves as well as by the action of breathing.
Additionally, the weight-bearing bones and anti-
gravity muscles have adapted during evolution to
ensure adequate support during standing. Thus
humans can stand up without any real problems.
The real importance of gravity on physiological
systems is, however, seen when gravity is reduced
or taken away, as in the microgravity environment
Understanding the links between spaceflight physiology and the aging
process can lead to improvements in human health not only for astronauts
living in microgravity but also for older people living on Earth. This article
provides a general overview of important physiological consequences
of spaceflight, the aging process in humans on Earth, and important
connections between these physiological states.
Nandu Goswami
&
Helmut Hinghofer-
Szalkay
Gravitational
Physiology &
Medicine Research
Unit, Institute of
Physiology, Medical
University of Graz,
Austria
Spaceflight
studies support
geriatric health
on Earth
Amal Ezzeddine
Senior Director
Government
and Corporate
Affairs, Thuraya
Telecommunications
Company, Dubai
