The experiment foresees the execution of a pre- and post-flight orthostatic tolerance test (active standing) in astronauts performing during their flight scheduled physical activity time a structured, individually-tailored, treadmill exercise training program planned on the basis of a pre-flight incremental treadmill exercise test, using the TRIMPi (individualized Training IMPulse) training methodology.
The study could help to develop specific countermeasures to prevent a major healthy issue after space flight, such as orthostatic intolerance
Accelerating rehabilitation of crews on exploration missions could find clinical applications in preventing inactivity- or other gravity-related disorders and disability on Earth
These countermeasures will be beneficial to prevent autonomic dysfunctions related to gravitational stress such those encountered in bedridden subjects, like orthostatic hypotension. This is particularly important in the present aged-society with many bedridden elderly people
The knowledge accumulated from studies on autonomic neural functions in space should be very useful to establish effective countermeasures and preventive methods for gravity-dependent autonomic dysfunctions.