NASA exercise scientists will collaborate with researchers from the University of Houston-Clear Lake to execute a controlled exercise intervention in free-living subjects to compare the OFW to conventional exercise equipment as well as to a "no-exercise". Subjects will be split into 3 exercise groups using 1of the three following exercise systems: the OFW only, free weights and a commercial rowing ergometer, or free weights plus a cycle and a treadmill. These exercise groups will follow an 8-week intervention, based on mission-like prescription concepts. A no-exercise control group will be included as a standard reference for adaptations to the exercise intervention across all exercise groups. Adaptations in functional performance, aerobic fitness, muscle strength and endurance, body composition, as well as metabolic and inflammatory responses, will be assessed between all study groups pre-intervention – and at the end of weeks 4 and 8 of the 8-week intervention – to discern any differences in these health and performance metrics across the study. Investigators hypothesize that limitations to the OFW as a comprehensive exercise system will be observed as decrements in upper body strength and functional task performance, and increases in inflammatory responses and subjective ratings of muscle soreness or discomfort in subjects using only the OFW for 8 weeks, compared to those using free weights and commercial aerobic exercise hardware. All subjects are expected to show improvements in outcome measures relative to the no-exercise control subjects.

In summary, understanding the adaptive response to exercise on this unique system will inform NASA human system risk recommendations for Lunar Design Reference Missions (DRMs), as well as exercise capability needs for future missions and vehicles. Near-term answers on OFW efficacy are critical, due to the expanding reliance of exploration programs on this custom device and the approach of crewed Artemis missions.

Understanding the adaptive response to exercise on this novel system will inform risk assessments for early Artemis missions, as well as exercise capability needs for future missions and vehicles. Near-term answers on Orion Flywheel efficacy are critical, due to the expanding duration of use/reliance of exploration programs on this custom device and the approach of crewed Artemis missions.

The University of Houston at Clear Lake will be the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record for this investigation, in coordination with NASA. The IRB protocol submission has been initiated by the study team and will be completed in Fall 2024. Subject recruitment will be initiated in Spring 2025, with the first campaign of subjects to begin data collection upon delivery of the Orion Flywheel exercise device to the study location.

NASA exercise scientists will collaborate with researchers from the University of Houston-Clear Lake to execute a controlled exercise intervention in free-living subjects to compare the OFW to conventional exercise equipment as well as to a "no-exercise". Subjects will be split into 3 exercise groups using 1of the three following exercise systems: the OFW only, free weights and a commercial rowing ergometer, or free weights plus a cycle and a treadmill. These exercise groups will follow an 8-week intervention, based on mission-like prescription concepts. A no-exercise control group will be included as a standard reference for adaptations to the exercise intervention across all exercise groups. Adaptations in functional performance, aerobic fitness, muscle strength and endurance, body composition, as well as metabolic and inflammatory responses, will be assessed between all study groups pre-intervention – and at the end of weeks 4 and 8 of the 8-week intervention – to discern any differences in these health and performance metrics across the study. Investigators hypothesize that limitations to the OFW as a comprehensive exercise system will be observed as decrements in upper body strength and functional task performance, and increases in inflammatory responses and subjective ratings of muscle soreness or discomfort in subjects using only the OFW for 8 weeks, compared to those using free weights and commercial aerobic exercise hardware. All subjects are expected to show improvements in outcome measures relative to the no-exercise control subjects.

In summary, understanding the adaptive response to exercise on this unique system will inform NASA human system risk recommendations for Lunar Design Reference Missions (DRMs), as well as exercise capability needs for future missions and vehicles. Near-term answers on OFW efficacy are critical, due to the expanding reliance of exploration programs on this custom device and the approach of crewed Artemis missions.

Understanding the adaptive response to exercise on this novel system will inform risk assessments for early Artemis missions, as well as exercise capability needs for future missions and vehicles. Near-term answers on Orion Flywheel efficacy are critical, due to the expanding duration of use/reliance of exploration programs on this custom device and the approach of crewed Artemis missions.