Space missions take a toll on astronauts’ bodies, especially when it comes to bone and joint health, but jumping exercises may mitigate damage and even improve physical conditioning. A recent study showed that knee cartilage was strengthened in mice that engaged in jumping workouts, a benefit that scientists think could possibly extend to humans. This type of training could become a crucial preventative measure for astronauts, who often experience weakening of cartilage due to low gravity in space.
The study, published in the journal npj Microgravity, offers an exciting possibility to keep astronauts healthy as they embark on space missions that entail physically demanding tasks. Researchers are confident that the successful results of jumping workouts in mice could be applied to humans, with the potential to prevent cartilage degradation in space.
