Skin-Tight Bodysuits Could Protect Astronauts From Bone Loss

jamie passes along a report about research from MIT's Man-Vehicle Laboratory into using "superhero-style" skinsuits to combat the effects of extended stays in microgravity on bone density in astronauts. (Abstract.) Quoting: "Astronauts lose 1 to 2 percent of their bone mass for each month they spend in space. As far back as the Gemini missions, conditioning exercise regimes have been used to slow the rate of bone loss, but a 2001-2004 NASA-sponsored study showed that crew members aboard the International Space Station were still losing up to 2.7 percent of their interior bone material and 1.7 percent of outer hipbone material for each month they spent in space. ... With stirrups that loop around the feet, the elastic gravity skinsuit is purposely cut too short for the astronaut so that it stretches when put on — pulling the wearer's shoulders towards the feet. In normal gravity conditions on Earth, a human's legs bear more weight than the torso. Because the suit's legs stretch more than the torso section, the wearer's legs are subjected to a greater force — replicating gravity effects on Earth." See? Seven of Nine's outfit was inspired by science after all.

Comments

Is it just me...

[robot256]

Or does this sound like a bit of a stretch?

Re:Is it just me...

[kj_kabaje]

I love that this is modded insightful.

Re:Is it just me...

[mcvos]

I don't necessarily object to men in tights, but why did they have to give the transparent suit to a man?

Skinsuit eh?

[p0p0]

|Well then let's hope they start picking some sexier astronauts.

that's not all

[RapmasterT]

If we get hot female astronauts, skin tight bodysuits could protect from boner loss too.

thank you, thanks...I'll be here all week.

Barbarella had it right

[Drakkenmensch]

Zero gravity leather bondage is good for you!

Re:Barbarella had it right

[Kjella]

Shouldn't there be at least a decade of Princess Leia in there?

Skin-Tight Bodysuits

[Andrewkov]

Star Trek has known this for years.

If movies have tought me anything.

[orphiuchus]

Its that bone loss in astronauts is usually caused by Predators and Aliens.

Wilma Deering

[DigitalSorceress]

My first thought is that this completely explains and legitimizes Col. Wilma Deering's wardrobe...

then I realized this also went for Cmdr. Rogers' and I threw up in my mouth a little.

Evangelion Plugsuit

[decipher_saint]

Except instead of Rei or Asuka you get Buzz Aldrin... the future is a terrifying place children...

Re:Evangelion Plugsuit

[suomynonAyletamitlU]

Except instead of Rei or Asuka you get Buzz Aldrin... the future is a terrifying place children...

And in space, no one can hear you scream...

That does make it easier to appear polite, though. Just be sure not to pantomime your screaming, then switch the mike back on. "Hello sir, nice to meet you."

Apollo 13, this is Houston, be advised you're on VOX, we heard everything you just said... $#!%.

Re:Hotness is questionable...

[Kjella]

He's just still in the phase where you drool over 18yo blonde supermodels. Not that they're not pretty to look at, but looking that good is a full time job and you'd probably go crazy with all the health/fitness/makeup/styling/wardrobe/diet/anorexia/whatever stuff they do if you actually lived with one. Not that I'd turn any of them down...

Re:Hotness is questionable...

[The Living Fractal]

Only if she's willing to wear a diaper during a five hundred mile drive at the end of which she intends to club someone over the head with a blunt object.

would it work in reverse?

[sgt scrub]

or should us "big boned" people just become astronauts?

Re:Sounds damned uncomfortable.

[tinkerghost]

You probably won't notice it at all 5 minutes after you put it on.

Unless they cut it wrong & it gives you a wedgie. I can see the observation tapes now --- 6 months of an astronaut picking their body-stocking out of their ass.