Editorial: Optimization of Exercise Countermeasures for Human Space Flight—Lessons From Terrestrial Physiology and Operational Implementation
Jonathan Scott, Tobias Weber, David A. Green
Abstract
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS), countermeasure (CM) exercise for human spaceflight has evolved from rudimentary physical activity into the complex, multi-modal programme that occupies 25% of each ISS working day. However, despite the long history of CM exercise, questions remain regarding both its efficacy and effectiveness, in particular with respect to the challenge of managing cardiorespiratory (CR) and musculoskeletal (MS) adaptation during future human exploration missions (Scott et al.). This Research Topic (RT) was a result of a Workshop convened in January 2018 at the European Space Agency's (ESA) European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. In a series of invited reviews, 52 authors from 31 institutions have synthesized current terrestrial exercise physiology knowledge and considered how this might be employed to optimize future CM exercise.