Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Adaptations to Gravity and Their Impact on Deep-Space Missions
Speaker
Professor Alan Hargens
Coordinator
Hiromi Imai-Dellario
Normal daily activity on Earth involves about 16
hours of upright posture with activities. In space,
these daily weight-bearing activities at normal body
mass are minimal. Lower Body Negative Pressure
(LBNP) provides normal daily weight bearing and
footward fluid shifts. Countermeasures for prolonged
space travel should include integrated cardiovascular
and musculoskeletal exercises to reproduce normal,
daily Earth-like stresses. Until a safe and validated
human centrifuge is available, LBNP exercise is a
physiologic and integrated countermeasure for deep-
space travel. Professor Hargens explains how the
adaptation to gravity from his research on giraffes
and snakes apply to our health.
hours of upright posture with activities. In space,
these daily weight-bearing activities at normal body
mass are minimal. Lower Body Negative Pressure
(LBNP) provides normal daily weight bearing and
footward fluid shifts. Countermeasures for prolonged
space travel should include integrated cardiovascular
and musculoskeletal exercises to reproduce normal,
daily Earth-like stresses. Until a safe and validated
human centrifuge is available, LBNP exercise is a
physiologic and integrated countermeasure for deep-
space travel. Professor Hargens explains how the
adaptation to gravity from his research on giraffes
and snakes apply to our health.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Alan Hargens, Distinguished Professor
Emeritus at UC San Diego, was Director of Space
Physiology at NASA Ames. He has trained over
250 students, two of whom became NASA
astronauts. His recent awards include the Nello
Pace Award for Outstanding Leadership in
Gravitational Physiology, the Citation Award from
the American College of Sports Medicine, the
NASA Distinguished Public Service Metal (NASA’s
highest award), and the Distinguished Scientist
Award from the International Society of
Adaptive Medicine.
Emeritus at UC San Diego, was Director of Space
Physiology at NASA Ames. He has trained over
250 students, two of whom became NASA
astronauts. His recent awards include the Nello
Pace Award for Outstanding Leadership in
Gravitational Physiology, the Citation Award from
the American College of Sports Medicine, the
NASA Distinguished Public Service Metal (NASA’s
highest award), and the Distinguished Scientist
Award from the International Society of
Adaptive Medicine.
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