New Delhi: A new study published in npj Microgravity suggests that jump training could help prevent cartilage degeneration and improve bone strength, potentially offering a countermeasure for astronauts on long-duration space missions.
Conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Carnegie Science, the study highlights how plyometric exercise (jump training) enhances cartilage thickness and preserves joint health in mice exposed to reduced mobility conditions, which simulate aspects of microgravity.
Cartilage, a crucial tissue that cushions joints and reduces friction, is prone to degeneration in microgravity due to prolonged inactivity. Space radiation can further accelerate this damage, and unlike other tissues, cartilage has limited self-repair capabilities.
This makes finding effective preventive measures a priority for space agencies planning long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.
In the study, mice subjected to a nine-week period of reduced movement showed a 14% decrease in knee cartilage thickness. In contrast, mice that performed jump training three times a week experienced a 26% increase in cartilage thickness compared to controls and 110% thicker cartilage than the reduced-activity group.
Additionally, bone strength improved by 15% in the jumping group, indicating benefits beyond cartilage preservation.
According to Marco Chiaberge, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and the European Space Agency (ESA), maintaining cartilage integrity is an overlooked challenge in space medicine.
“Since the next step in human exploration of space is going to Mars and spending long periods of time in permanent bases on the Moon, cartilage damage is a really major issue that space agencies need to address, despite how very poorly understood it is,” Chiaberge said.
He further emphasized the unexpected magnitude of the findings:“The positive effect we saw in these mice is huge, and the magnitude of it was unexpected. They can basically make their cartilage thicker if they jump. Maybe astronauts could use similar training before their flight as a preventive measure.”
The research was co-led by Chen-Ming Fan of Carnegie Science, who contributed to the conception, design, and supervision of the study. His work focuses on understanding musculoskeletal adaptations in extreme environments, making these findings significant for space medicine.
Previous research from ESA has indicated cartilage degradation in astronauts spending extended periods aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This study reinforces those findings and suggests that plyometric exercise could be explored as part of astronaut training programs to prevent joint deterioration.
While the study was conducted in mice, the results provide valuable insights into potential strategies for preserving musculoskeletal health in space. Further research is needed to confirm whether similar benefits would apply to humans in microgravity conditions and how such training could be incorporated into spaceflight exercise protocols.
With long-duration missions on the horizon, developing targeted interventions to protect astronaut health remains a key priority for space agencies worldwide.