As our astronauts are spending more and more time in space we have had to work to create methods to maintain their muscle and bone mass.  If we don’t have the effect of gravity on our bodies and if we don’t have the pull of muscles against the bones we quickly lose bone density.  Tests are performed to monitor the loss of calcium into the urine to assess the effectiveness of the established exercises in our space program.

Loss of bone density is a concern for many of our earthbound population as well but due to inactivity.  Therapists should discuss the effects of exercise on maintaining bone density to help motivate our patients that are concerned that the exercise is going to make them more sore and have more pain.  The effects of muscle pull on bone creates an increase in strength of connective tissue.  When I was in PT school we were sent home with a “bone box”.  We actually had real human bones to study while taking anatomy.  I recall laying the bones out in my floor and running my hands over them as I tried to learn the muscle attachments. I could feel ridges and protuberances  where muscles had attached, the pull on the bones creating changes in the bones due to the tension.

Just as astronauts must invest time in exercise to achieve health, we must invest time and effort in exercise.  It is much less expensive and less complicated to achieve this in our own homes and communities.  Our body weight can serve as resistance by using body position to change the effects of gravity on movement.  Physical Therapists prescribe exercise based on an assessment of a person’s base level of strength.  The program is advanced as strength is gained.

It is fun to find ways to provide resistance in the home.  Weights can be made out of normal household items.  Proper body mechanics can be emphasized in conjunction with strength training improving the carryover of those tasks that are performed repetitively.  Performance in the patient’s own environment improves the possibility that the proper mechanics will be followed routinely.

Strength training in home care may not be rocket science but we approach the same concerns for strong bones and muscles that the astronauts face.

Click on this and enjoy watching the way our astronauts approach weight training