Myoton scheduled for ESA's Parabolic Flight
04.05.2011
Myoton has been selected for the 55th European Space Agency (ESA) parabolic flight campaign to its merits for potential future use on astronauts in space. This study, which is coordinated and financed by Center Hospitalier Universitaire, is a joint effort by ESA, German Space Agency (DLR), German Sport University Cologne and Myoton.
In November 2011 scientists from the German Sport University Cologne will carry out tests on six subjects in a simulated zero-gravity environment. Researches will carry out a test program that includes thousands of muscle measurements conducted with Myoton’s latest muscle assessment device MyotonPRO.
Astronauts’ extended exposure to zero-gravity during Space flight results in substantial loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Studies have shown that astronauts experience up to a 20% loss of muscle mass on spaceflights lasting five to eleven days. As such, maintaining muscle condition in space is an important concern, especially for long-duration space missions. MyotonPRO has been designed to operate accurately at Earth’s gravity as well as zero-gravity conditions. The device’s precise muscle assessment and tracking over time could substantially improve feedback of astronauts’ training and rehabilitation effectiveness.
