Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams They returned to Earth on Tuesday (18) after almost nine months in space. The next days of the pair will be focused on a rehabilitation program to improve the physical condition of scientists.
According to experts, astronaut bodies may undergo significant changes after a long period in a microgravity environment, such as space. Among the effects are the loss of bone density and muscle mass, changes in the immune system, cardiovascular, vision and DNA.
According to NASA, astronaut bodies may experience a third -third reduction of muscle fiber size in less than two weeks. In a single month in space, an astronaut can also lose up to 1.5% of his bone mass-approximately as much as a postmenopausal woman who is not under treatment loses in about a year.
On Earth, body fluids tend to move down below the heart. But in space, fluids flow evenly throughout the body and accumulate in places where they do not normally concentrate. This causes astronauts to have the so -called “swollen face syndrome”, “bird legs” or “chicken legs”. Problems usually disappear after about three days on Earth, according to NASA.
To mitigate these effects, astronauts pass a rigorous rehabilitation protocol upon returning to earth. As soon as they reach the earthly ground, they undergo an immediate medical evaluation. They are then subjected to a reconditioning program that includes exercise to increase bone density and strengthen muscles.
In addition, astronauts may have difficulty walking and dizziness, as they will have to get used to the force exerted by gravity. For this, they undergo an exercise protocol to improve coordination and help prevent injury.
In Interview with the British newspaper The GuardianAlan Duffy, astrophysicist at Swinburne University, explains that the astronaut reconditioning protocol is similar to intense physiotherapy “by which anyone who leaves a coma passes.”
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Was this content originally published as the body of astronauts get used to gravity again? on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

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