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Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-termSpaceflight (Sarcolab)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by P. Cerretelli, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab) investigates skeletal muscle fibers of humans exposed to long-term space flight.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • P. Cerretelli, Italy

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)
    Information Pending

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    European Space Agency (ESA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Information Pending

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    May 2012 - March 2014

    Expeditions Assigned

    31/32,35/36,37/38

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Exposure to actual and simulated microgravity is known to lead to loss of muscle mass, function and motor control.


    • The first goal of this project is to investigate the myotendinous structural and functional determinants of this phenomenon using an in vivo and in vitro approach. Whole skeletal muscle in vivo (plantarflexors) and in vitro on isolated muscles fibers (of the soleus muscle (SOL) which are most affected by microgravity) will be studied for humans exposed to long-term spaceflight.


    • The second goal of this project is to characterize reflex excitability of the dis-used muscles.

    Description

    Information Pending

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    By improving the understanding of the mechanisms behind loss of muscle mass in space we in turn can develop more effective countermeasures for the crews, whether pharmacological, dietary or exercise-based in order to alleviate such adverse effects and hence improve/maintain the health and performance of our astronauts in orbit.

    Earth Applications

    By improving the understanding of the mechanisms behind loss of muscle mass in space and developing appropriate and effective countermeasures to any adverse effects we can also draw conclusions and get insights into certain muscular conditions on Earth. An adaptation of countermeasures originally developed for in-space use by astronauts, or newly developed ground-based countermeasures could be used within rehabilitation of patients affected by such medical conditions.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Information Pending

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    Results/More Information

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    Related Websites

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    Imagery

    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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