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Project Title:  Exploration Exercise Treadmill Requirements Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2025 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Start Date: 06/27/2022  
End Date: 09/30/2034  
Task Last Updated: 04/28/2025 
Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Varanoske, Alyssa  Ph.D. / KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Address:  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Mail Code SK311 
Houston , TX 77058 
Email: alyssa.n.varanoske@nasa.gov 
Phone:   
Congressional District: 36 
Web:  
Organization Type: GOVERNMENT 
Organization Name: KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Sibonga, Jean  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Smith, Scott  Ph.D. NASA Johnson Space Center 
Zwart, Sara  Ph.D. NASA Johnson Space Center 
Spector, Elizabeth  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center  
Peters, Brian  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center  
Prejean, Brian  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Young, Millenia  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Marshall-Goebel, Karina  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. Directed Research 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Brocato, Becky  
Center Contact:  
becky.brocato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 16064 
Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research 
Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research 
Project Type: Flight,Ground 
Flight Program: ISS 
TechPort: No 
No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:  
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Bone Fracture:Risk of Bone Fracture due to Spaceflight-induced Changes to Bone
(2) EVA:Risk of Mission Impacting Injury and Compromised Performance and Long-Term Health Effects due to EVA Operations
(3) Muscle and Aerobic:Risk of Mission Performance Decrements and Adverse Health Outcomes Resulting from Reduced Cardiorespiratory and Musculoskeletal Fitness
(4) Sensorimotor:Risk of Altered Sensorimotor/Vestibular Function Impacting Critical Mission Tasks
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) Bone-101:Characterize skeletal changes on bone mass (Bone Density) and bone structure (Bone Quality) of astronauts.
(2) Bone-102:Characterize bone turnover and other biomolecular markers of skeletal health.
(3) Bone-401:Identify and test preventative and mitigating countermeasures for changes induced by spaceflight.
(4) Bone-402:Validate countermeasures for maintaining preflight bone standard.
(5) EVA-101:Characterize EVA preparedness shortly post-landing on a planetary surface.
(6) EVA-302:Identify and test countermeasures to any physiological decrements associated with increased planetary EVA cadence (ie, exercise and nutrition)
(7) MA-101:Characterize the effects of the spaceflight environment, including reduced gravity (i.e., weightlessness, partial gravity), countermeasures, and individual variability, on physiological and functional measures of muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness and performance.
(8) MA-102:Determine the relationship between physiological and functional measures of muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness or performance and mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(9) MA-201:Determine the required exercise countermeasure or countermeasures (i.e., modality or modalities, prescription, monitoring) to protect mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(10) MA-301:Evaluate an integrated exercise countermeasure system(s) and the potential impact of other physiological countermeasure(s) to protect mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(11) SM1:What is the relationship between in-flight exercise and postflight sensorimotor performance? (OBSOLETE - Merged with SM4 and SM7 to create SM7.1)
(12) SM-101:Characterize the effects of short and long-duration weightlessness, with and without deep-space radiation, on postural control and locomotion (gross motor control) after G transitions.
(13) SM-201:Develop and test postural control and locomotion countermeasures, including human factors aids.
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: Project updated due to P.I. change to A. Varanoske. Previous PI: K. Marshall-Goebel. (Ed. 7/25/24)

NOTE: Project start date and end date updated due to P.I. change to K. Marshall-Goebel and selection for flight. Original end date: 09/30/2027. Information per T. Finkle/NASA-JSC. (Ed. 8/4/22)

Task Description: Exploration class missions including Artemis and beyond are required to have an exercise device that is lightweight and has a small footprint. This has resulted in the development of exercise devices that are motorized and flywheel-based to provide both aerobic and resistive training on one platform. These devices provide a variety of full body resistance exercise options as well as aerobic rowing and cycling, but no treadmill. Because a treadmill has been available for use on the International Space Station (ISS) since 2001, we do not understand what the effect of removing the treadmill will have on muscle performance, aerobic fitness, bone health, sensorimotor performance, or psychological health. Specific Aims: 1) We aim to quantify the effect of cycle ergometry and resistive exercise only, throughout an entire spaceflight mission on muscle performance, aerobic fitness, bone health, sensorimotor performance, or psychological health by removing the treadmill portion of exercise on ISS and replacing it with additional time on the ISS cycle ergometer (CEVIS), as prescribed by the astronaut trainers, while keeping exercise on the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) the same. 2) We aim to quantify the effectiveness of the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) during an entire spaceflight mission on bone, muscle, aerobic, and sensorimotor health and performance by having crewmembers utilize the E4D exclusively.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: The major aim of this study is to provide exploration vehicle system mass and volume allocation requirements for a Mars exercise hardware capability and inform NASA/commercial developers for exercise requirements to effectively prevent physiological deconditioning during long-duration spaceflight. Specifically, if results show that a treadmill is a necessary component of the in-flight exercise training regime to prevent physiological deconditioning and ensure crew readiness, development of new exercise hardware that encompasses a treadmill may be necessary. This future work may require establishing partnerships with private industry, academia, or other governmental organizations to develop additional exercise capabilities and continue research to advance knowledge in this technical area.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2025 
Task Progress: In this reporting period, data collection on Active (CEVIS+ARED) and Control (nominal International Space Station/ISS exercise: T2, ARED, and CEVIS) subjects has continued. To date, five Active subjects (CEVIS+ARED) have been enrolled in the study, and data collection has been completed on a total of three of these subjects. Fifteen Control subjects have been enrolled (data share only). Recruitment for all groups, including both Active groups (CEVIS+ARED group and E4D group) and the Control group is underway; however, the E4D is not yet available for use on the ISS as it is anticipated to launch late this calendar year. Informed consent briefings have been presented to the crew for two separate missions throughout this reporting period. Additionally, changes have been made to the study protocol documents and informed consent to include data sharing of additional sensorimotor variables with the Spaceflight Standard Measures study during pre-, and post-flight testing.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 05/16/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Varanoske AN, Prejean BJ, Strock NC, Conly D, Peters BT, Morant ES, Gardner DN, Cooper LL, Sibonga JD, Smith SM, Zwart SR, Spector ER, Fincke RS, Young M, Marshall-Goebel K. "Effects of replacing treadmill running with alternative exercise countermeasures during long-duration spaceflight on astronaut health and performance." 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Galveston, Texas, January 28-31, 2025.

Abstracts. 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Galveston, Texas, January 28-31, 2025. , Jan-2025

Project Title:  Exploration Exercise Treadmill Requirements Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2024 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Start Date: 06/27/2022  
End Date: 09/30/2034  
Task Last Updated: 07/25/2024 
Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Varanoske, Alyssa  Ph.D. / KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Address:  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Mail Code SK311 
Houston , TX 77058 
Email: alyssa.n.varanoske@nasa.gov 
Phone:   
Congressional District: 36 
Web:  
Organization Type: GOVERNMENT 
Organization Name: KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Sibonga, Jean  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Smith, Scott  Ph.D. NASA Johnson Space Center 
Zwart, Sara  Ph.D. NASA Johnson Space Center 
Spector, Elizabeth  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center  
Peters, Brian  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center  
Prejean, Brian  KBR/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Young, Millenia  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Marshall-Goebel, Karina  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Key Personnel Changes / Previous PI: Due to a changing organizational structure and new responsibilities, Dr. Karina Marshall-Goebel has stepped aside as Principal Investigator (PI). Per NASA-JSC, the new PI is Alyssa Varanoske, Ph.D. Note: Dr. Marshall-Goebel remains as a Co-Investigator on the project (Ed., 7/25/24). For prior reporting, please see "Exploration Exercise Treadmill Requirements" (PI: Marshall-Goebel).
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. Directed Research 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Brocato, Becky  
Center Contact:  
becky.brocato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 16064 
Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research 
Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research 
Project Type: Flight,Ground 
Flight Program: ISS 
TechPort: No 
No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:  
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Bone Fracture:Risk of Bone Fracture due to Spaceflight-induced Changes to Bone
(2) EVA:Risk of Mission Impacting Injury and Compromised Performance and Long-Term Health Effects due to EVA Operations
(3) Muscle and Aerobic:Risk of Mission Performance Decrements and Adverse Health Outcomes Resulting from Reduced Cardiorespiratory and Musculoskeletal Fitness
(4) Sensorimotor:Risk of Altered Sensorimotor/Vestibular Function Impacting Critical Mission Tasks
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) Bone-101:Characterize skeletal changes on bone mass (Bone Density) and bone structure (Bone Quality) of astronauts.
(2) Bone-102:Characterize bone turnover and other biomolecular markers of skeletal health.
(3) Bone-401:Identify and test preventative and mitigating countermeasures for changes induced by spaceflight.
(4) Bone-402:Validate countermeasures for maintaining preflight bone standard.
(5) EVA-101:Characterize EVA preparedness shortly post-landing on a planetary surface.
(6) EVA-302:Identify and test countermeasures to any physiological decrements associated with increased planetary EVA cadence (ie, exercise and nutrition)
(7) MA-101:Characterize the effects of the spaceflight environment, including reduced gravity (i.e., weightlessness, partial gravity), countermeasures, and individual variability, on physiological and functional measures of muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness and performance.
(8) MA-102:Determine the relationship between physiological and functional measures of muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness or performance and mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(9) MA-201:Determine the required exercise countermeasure or countermeasures (i.e., modality or modalities, prescription, monitoring) to protect mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(10) MA-301:Evaluate an integrated exercise countermeasure system(s) and the potential impact of other physiological countermeasure(s) to protect mission-specific task performance and crew health outcomes.
(11) SM1:What is the relationship between in-flight exercise and postflight sensorimotor performance? (OBSOLETE - Merged with SM4 and SM7 to create SM7.1)
(12) SM-101:Characterize the effects of short and long-duration weightlessness, with and without deep-space radiation, on postural control and locomotion (gross motor control) after G transitions.
(13) SM-201:Develop and test postural control and locomotion countermeasures, including human factors aids.
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: Project updated due to P.I. change to A. Varanoske. Previous PI: K. Marshall-Goebel. (Ed. 7/25/24)

NOTE: Project start date and end date updated due to P.I. change to K. Marshall-Goebel and selection for flight. Original end date: 09/30/2027. Information per T. Finkle/NASA-JSC. (Ed. 8/4/22)

Task Description: Exploration class missions including Artemis and beyond are required to have an exercise device that is lightweight and has a small footprint. This has resulted in the development of exercise devices that are motorized and flywheel-based to provide both aerobic and resistive training on one platform. These devices provide a variety of full body resistance exercise options as well as aerobic rowing and cycling, but no treadmill. Because a treadmill has been available for use on the International Space Station (ISS) since 2001, we do not understand what the effect of removing the treadmill will have on muscle performance, aerobic fitness, bone health, sensorimotor performance, or psychological health. Specific Aims: 1) We aim to quantify the effect of cycle ergometry and resistive exercise only, throughout an entire spaceflight mission on muscle performance, aerobic fitness, bone health, sensorimotor performance, or psychological health by removing the treadmill portion of exercise on ISS and replacing it with additional time on the ISS cycle ergometer (CEVIS), as prescribed by the astronaut trainers, while keeping exercise on the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) the same. 2) We aim to quantify the effectiveness of the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) during an entire spaceflight mission on bone, muscle, aerobic, and sensorimotor health and performance by having crewmembers utilize the EED exclusively.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2024 
Task Progress: NOTE: Continuation of "Exploration Exercise Treadmill Requirements" with new Principal Investigator (PI) Alyssa Varanoske, Ph.D. Previous PI was Dr. Karina Marshall-Goebel. Original PI was Dr. Marissa Rosenberg (Ed., 7/25/24).

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 05/16/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2024