High density proprioceptive training for postural muscle atrophy prevention in space missions.
- Paper number
IAC-08.A1.2.10
- Author
Prof. Dario Riva, International Society of Proprioception and Posture, Italy
- Coauthor
Prof. Franco Rossitto, National Institute for Astrophysics, Italy
- Coauthor
Dr. Stefano D'Eustacchio, International Society of Proprioception and Posture, Italy
- Coauthor
Dr. Marco De Angelis, International Society of Proprioception and Posture, Italy
- Coauthor
Dr. Flavio Rocca, International Society of Proprioception and Posture, Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION. Increasing the effectiveness and minimizing time in applying countermeasures to maintain postural muscle trophism and positive structural remodelling of bones, joints and tendons is an important task for human space exploration. Nevertheless the coupling of load and instability remains indispensable. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the postural and steering muscles of a group of endurance athletes can be brought to a high effectiveness, allowing better movement control even in fatiguing conditions. Moreover a higher peak of postural muscle endurance guarantees a wider range of tolerable postural muscle decay, without functional impairments, saving time with shorter high density training sessions. METHOD 12 marathon runners with stabilized long distance running performances over the last three years, added two sessions of high frequency (HF) proprioceptive activation to their usual training program for two months (the duration of each session increased from 30 to 50 minutes), increasing the working density progressively. HF proprioceptive training density started from 44% and reached 86%. In each session the athlete performed 24 trials in single stance (12 for each leg) lasting 40 to 90 seconds. If the comparison of the pre-session test with the post-session test showed no decay, the duration of each trial in the following session was increased by 10 seconds. A previous study, in microgravity conditions during a parabolic flight, had verified that the same electronic system, composed of a rocking board, a postural reader and a bungee-cord loading apparatus (not used in this study on the Earth) is able to create HF postural instability comparable to that reachable on the Earth. RESULTS Postural instability decreased significantly passing from 3,76 + or - 1,20° to 1,32 + or - 0,61° (p<0,001). Running performances improved significantly, passing on a 10 km distance from 42m15s + or - 1m54s to 40m55s + or - 2m (p<0,0001) and on a 21,097 km distance from 1h33m14s + or - 3m25s to 1h31m05s + or - 4m12s (p<0,0001). Overuse syndromes disappeared, very likely as a consequence of more ergonomic movements and better tolerance of mechanical stress. CONCLUSIONS Top proprioceptive endurance is an indispensable condition for allowing the astronauts to save time, because it makes it possible to carry out high density training sessions for postural and steering muscle atrophy prevention and to maintain the best movement control even in fatiguing conditions. Furthermore, this study showed that improving single stance postural stability increases the expressible energy and refines the mechanical stress on the structures involved. A training program schedule on the Earth and in space is suggested.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.A1.2.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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