Exercise keeps astronauts' hearts strong enough for flight to Mars

Don Pettit, an astronaut who participated in endurance and strength-building exercises on the International Space Station, was part of a study that found exercise helps maintain heart structure and function during long spaceflights. The study, led by Benjamin Levine, a professor at UT Southwestern, showed that astronauts' hearts gradually return to their preflight states after six months in space, even with reduced gravity on Mars. The findings suggest that exercise countermeasures are sufficient to keep the heart in good working order for Mars missions. The study involved 14 astronauts, with measurements taken at different points in their missions, including 14, 30, 75, and 135 days after launch. The results indicated that heart changes reversed over time, and astronauts' hearts were in good condition for Mars' gravitational loads.

• "The study found that astronauts' hearts gradually return to their preflight states after six months in space, even with reduced gravity on Mars."
• "The research involved 14 astronauts, with measurements taken at different points in their missions, including 14, 30, 75, and 135 days after launch."
• "Levine's work with astronauts has translated to an area of clinical expertise: patients with 'gravity diseases' such as syncope and orthostatic intolerance."

The study's findings could lead to better interventions for heart health on Earth, especially for long-duration space missions. The research used echocardiography with Doppler ultrasound to measure heart changes without relying on cardiac MRI, which is not feasible in space. The results suggest that exercise is a key factor in maintaining heart function during spaceflight, and similar regimens could help manage gravity-related conditions on Earth. The study was published in Circulation, and the findings are expected to contribute to future space mission planning and cardiac health interventions.

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