Space travel can be detrimental to the joints of astronauts, say scientists who have found early signs of cartilage breakdown in mice sent aboard a Russian spaceflight.
The study adds to a growing body of research about the health effects of spaceflight on the musculoskeletal system, according to the researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in the US.
Research has shown that living and working in space leads to many changes in the human body including the immune system, blood pressure and the shape of a person’s eyes.
“We believe this degradation is due to joint unloading caused by the near lack of gravity in space. If this were to happen to humans, given enough time, it would lead to major joint problems,” Jamie Fitzgerald, from Henry Ford Hospital. Researchers theorise that because the biomechanical forces in space are different from those on Earth, changes to the musculoskeletal system occur. (PTI)
