MOTOMIR - EXPERIMENT MUSCLE STRENGTH DIAGNOSIS UNDER CONDITIONS OF WEIGHTLESSNESS

Immobilization studies and exposures to both short and long periods of microgravity have shown very rapid changes of the physiological and t he morphological properties of the neuro-muscular system. The astronau t/cosmonaut has the remarkable ability to adapt to this unique environ ment, allowing near-normal function in microgravity. The problem is th at several of these adaptations pose potential problems when the crew members return to Earth. The current Constant Velocity Translatoric Dy namo Ergometer (Motomir) has been developed to investigate neuromuscul ar and physiological parameters during prolonged stays in microgravity . Beside the diagnosis of neuromuscular reactions this device allows t raining at varying angles and varying speeds while avoiding unphysiolo gical maximum loads and enables study of the influence of physical exe rcise as a countermeasure to microgravity. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science L td.