Build a lunar Wall of Death to help keep astronauts fit, say experts

Scientists suggest building a 'Wall of Death' on the moon for astronauts to run around so that they can stay fit and healthy in low-gravity 

When humans spend long periods of time in low gravity their muscles and bones start to weaken through lack of use. 

Over extended periods, this can lead to serious health problems and prevent astronauts from working. 

Lead researcher Alberto Minetti, professor of physiology at the University of Milan, told MailOnline:  low gravity deconditions many important body functions, resulting in muscle mass loss, bone density loss, cardio-vascular efficacy impairment, [and] neural control deconditioning.'

Current astronauts on the ISS use resistance machines to simulate weight so that they can stave off the deteriorating effects of weightlessness.

But, as NASA starts to get serious about sending humans to the moon with the Artemis missions, the hunt is on for a better solution. 

All the way back in 1968, Stanley Kubrick's epic film '2001: A Space Odyssey' imagined that astronauts might jog around the inside of a rotating space station. 

Using a rented Wall of Death, some bungee-jumping bands and a 36-meter-high (118ft) the researchers tested whether astronauts could exercise in much the same way. 

On Earth, only motorbikes are capable of moving quickly enough to ride the wall. This incredible stunt is a popular carnival attraction, but could also be the key to a future moon colony (file photo)

Using bungee-jumping cords and a rented Wall of Death, the researchers found that participants could quickly learn to run on the wall under simulated moon gravity 

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On Earth, no human can run fast enough to stay horizontal on a Wall of Death like a motorbike rider. 

But with elastic bands holding 83 per cent of their weight to simulate the moon's gravity, participants were able to start running with no assistance in just five to eight tries. 

The two test subjects were able to run at speeds up to 14.5 miles per hour (23 km/h) for a couple of laps of the 30-meter (98ft) circumference. 

Critically, the researchers discovered that each step on the wall generated an impact of around two to three times the participant's body weight.

This is the equivalent force generated by a slow run or quick jog back on Earth. 

It's also enough force to prevent the body from reabsorbing calcium from bones - something that weakens the body over time.

Dr Minetti says that running for just two to three minutes every 12 hours should be enough to remedy any deterioration. 

While something like Kubrick's wheel-like 'Space Station One' generates artificial gravity by spinning, this solution lets the astronauts create their own simulated gravity equivalent to about 60 to 70 per cent of that Earth. 

Just like in 2001: A Space Odyssey (pictured), future astronauts could run on the walls of their living areas to keep healthy in space 

While giant spinning structures could work, the researchers behind this recent paper point out that building a massive centrifuge on the moon would be far too costly. 

In their paper, published in Royal Society Open Science, the authors write: 'Moon-based centrifuges allowing locomotion inside would pose technical challenges and demand substantial electrical energy. 

'Time and cost-effective ways to emulate terrestrial locomotion on the Moon are hence required.'

In fact, the researchers propose that this could be the cheapest option for building exercise facilities on the moon since running tracks could be built right into astronauts' homes. 

Dr Minetti also points out that running vertically isn't practical or effective on the moon.

He says: 'You end up being in touch with the ground for a very tiny fraction of the locomotory cycle, thus you proceed on high jumping rather than running. 

'You need a fast speed to obtain a reconditioning stimulus to all the functions... thus the only way is generating a much higher artificial lateral gravity by horizontally running on the circular path of the internal walls of the Wall of Death.'

A giant spinning structure like in 2001: A Space Odyssey (pictured) wouldn't be necessary as astronauts can generate their own artificial gravity by running fast enough in circles 

Instead of transporting or building expensive purpose-built equipment, a moon base could simply use circular living areas which the residents could run laps around. 

This would not only cut down on costs but eliminate the need for any additional electricity use that equipment might bring. 

Dr Minetti says this could be built out of 'regoliths and lunar rocks, plus water found in proximity of the lunar poles.

'They will likely use 3D printer for concrete to build circular settlements where astronauts should live, amuse themselves, have fun, sleep, eat, and run.'

Professor Maria Stokes, an expert in neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation at the University of Southampton, told The Guardian: 'A horizontal running cylinder certainly promises to be a useful countermeasure to help prevent deconditioning in reduced gravity on the moon' 

However, Professor Stokes also points out that astronauts would still need specific training for everyday living and work skills in order to remain in top condition. 

WHY DO ASTRONAUTS WORKOUT IN SPACE, AND WHAT EXERCISES DO THEY DO?

In microgravity, body fluids are moved around. Fluids such as plasma are lost throughout the body. Plasma is where red blood cells live. 

Less plasma means there is less blood to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. 

Exercise, however, has been shown to increase the amount of plasma in the body. Astronauts who exercise make more red blood cells.

Microgravity also brings about another change in something called orthostatic intolerance. 

When you stand up quickly and feel light-headed - that's orthostatic intolerance.

Your body tries to stop this from happening. It does so by increasing its heart rate and blood pressure to keep more blood returning to your heart. 

If you can't do that, you'll pass out. With no gravity and less blood volume, astronauts are more prone to fainting. 

Again, exercise can help increase blood volume and circulation. That helps prevent fainting.

While in space, astronauts must exercise two hours a day to prevent bone and muscle loss. 

Weakened astronauts would be less able to do tasks while in space. If there were an emergency, they would also need to be in good shape to get out of a space craft or station quickly. 

Once they land on Earth, weakened muscles and bones would make walking difficult.

Muscle can be built back up with therapy. But lost bone is not as easy to get back.

Three main exercises in space:

Astronauts use three pieces of exercise equipment. 

• Cycle Ergometer: This is like a bicycle, and the main activity is pedaling. It is used to measure fitness in space because it's easy to check heart rate and how much work is being done.
• Treadmill: Walking or jogging on the treadmill is like walking on Earth. Walking is the single most important way to keep bones and muscles healthy. Because the lack of gravity tends to make people float, harnesses are attached to the astronauts to hold them to the walking surface. 
• Resistance Exercise Device (RED): The RED looks like weight-lifting machines you may see on television. To use it, astronauts pull and twist stretchy rubber-band-like cords attached to pulleys. The RED can be used for a total body workout. From squats and bending exercises for the legs, to arm exercises and heel raises, astronauts can do them all on the RED. Russians and Americans have different exercise routines on the Space Station. But they all have the same goal: keeping the astronauts and cosmonauts healthy. 

Source: NASA