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Facility/Payload OverviewBrief Facility Summary
The Flywheel Exercise Device (FWED) is a non-gravity dependent resistance exercise device that acts to countermeasure muscle degradation,, bone loss, and impairment of muscle function in space explorers, which develop in response to long-duration space flight.
Facility Manager(s)Information Pending
Facility DeveloperOHB System AG, Bremen, Germany
Sponsoring AgencyEuropean Space Agency (ESA)
Expeditions Assigned|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|
Previous ISS MissionsThis is a new facility developed by the European Space Agency for the ISS.
Facility/Payload Description
Facility Summary
- Flywheel Exercise Device (FWED) is a strength training system that uses a rotating flywheel that replaces weight plates and other means of resistance training devices that rely on gravity. This device uses the "Yo Yo Principle" which provides resistance by spinning flywheels.
- FWED provides both eccentric (lengthening of muscle fibers) and concentric (shortening of muscle fibers) muscle actions.
he Flywheel Exercise Device (FWED) is a compact lightweight resistive exercise device using the flywheel principle, which allows for back, trunk and upper and lower limb exercises. It is a multi-exercise device that will be employed as an onboard exercise countermeasure allowing for various exercises. Its variable resistance offers unlimited training potential to any user with virtually no limit to the amount of force or power that can be produced. The more force used when accelerating the flywheel, the more force will be required to decelerate it.
The resistance of FWED is provided using the "Yo Yo Principle" by which spinning flywheels with a cord are wound and unwound around the axle of a fixed flywheel. The "Yo Yo" system is capable of generating an overall greater eccentric (lengthening of muscle fibers) force than concentric (shortening of muscle fibers) force. The FWED will provide increased load during eccentric contraction, which has been shown to be a very potent stimulus, providing an increase in muscle strength.
A concentric muscle action overcomes the inactiveness of the flywheel by acceleration. A subsequent eccentric muscle action is required for deceleration. Astronaut strength training programs require combined concentric and eccentric exercises, which are both provided by FWED. FWED resistance exercises, comprising both concentric and eccentric actions are more time-effective than training using concentric actions only.
Operations
Facility Operations
While performing the exercises, continuous measurements of cord tension and flywheel speed are recorded using a laptop-based program. Calculations of work, force and power are performed. Other measurements such as joint angle and EMG (electromyography, a test that assesses the health of the muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles) can also be simultaneously recorded. FWED will be operated in the center aisle of the Columbus module onboard the ISS and stowed in a rack when not in use. The expected lifetime of the FWED is 10 years.
Results/More Information
Information Pending
Availability
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Publications
Results Publications
Related Publications
Images
Video screen shot of the FWED in use on a reduced gravity aircraft.+ View Larger Image
Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office