Keeping fit and doing daily exercise is very important for astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) and on Earth. Think of all the exercise you do without realising – walking, running or even going up and down stairs. You may also play sports or do activities that require you to exercise like playing football, swimming or even horse riding.
Your Mission: Follow Samantha Cristoforetti’s routine at the International Space Station for one week and compare her daily tasks to yours. Observe your everyday routine and keep a record of it.
Your Mission: Measure different body parts and explore how these measurements might change in space. How tall are you? Are you sure you know the answer? Studies show that the height of an astronaut increases approximately …
Your Mission: Perform a reaction time activity using a ruler to practice hand-eye coordination and concentration. In preparation for space travel, astronauts invest many hours in practicing their hand-eye reaction time. Operating the robotic arm …
Your Mission: Perform the “bear crawl” and “crab walk” to increase muscular strength and improve upper and lower body coordination. In a reduced gravity environment, astronauts are unable to walk like they do on Earth. …
Your Mission: Perform a series of somersaults on the ground to improve body coordination, flexibility, balance and strengthen your back, abdominal and leg muscles. In the microgravity environment of the International Space Station astronauts can …
Your Mission: Train with a cycle to improve leg muscles, cardio-vascular fitness and endurance. One exercise device that is regularly used by astronauts on the International Space Station is the cycle ergometer. The cycle provides …
Your Mission: Perform an activity that blends together squats, pushups, and jumping in the air (burpees) to promote muscular strength, agility, coordination and endurance. In a reduced gravity environment, muscles and bones can become weak, …
Your Mission: Perform throwing and catching techniques on one foot to improve balance and spatial awareness. On Earth, we use a variety of cues to sense the position of our bodies, while stationary or moving. …
Your Mission: Perform jump training with a rope to improve strength and endurance. On Earth, humans experience the effects of gravity pulling on the human body which applies a constant force, or loading effect. This …