Increasing the effectiveness of exercise with electrical muscle stimulation
An electric current ran through German ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer’s arm and leg muscles. Despite being a low current, it was extremely effective because it stimulated his skeletal muscles and thus helped him when exercising on the International Space Station ISS. The electrical impulses were transmitted through a new suit. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is a modern strengthening technique in which muscles are stimulated by applying electrical impulses. Combining targeted exercises with the underlying muscle tension achieved using EMS can significantly increase the effectiveness of exercise. On board the ISS, Maurer used the specialised EMS suit to complement his exercise programme, which consisted of running, cycling and strength training.
How can EMS increase the effectiveness of exercise? The muscles in the torso and limbs provide the body with the stability required for human movement. On Earth, muscles have to work against gravity, which allows them to grow stronger naturally. To prevent muscle atrophy and bone loss in microgravity, astronauts on the ISS exercise for approximately two and a half hours every day. Stimulating specific muscles with electrical impulses increases the effectiveness of the exercises.
The EasyMotion (EMS-TECH) technology demonstration was carried out on behalf of the German Space Agency at DLR in Bonn and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz; BMWK). The EMS project was carried out under the scientific leadership of the Center for Space Medicine at the Charité Hospital in Berlin and the European Space Agency (ESA) European Astronaut Centre (EAC). The EasyMotionSkin training system and the accompanying app were developed by EMS GmbH and adapted for use in space. German space company OHB System AG qualified the system for the mission.
Links:
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Dr. Christian Rogon · E-Mail Christian.Rogon@dlr.de
On board the ISS, German ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer increased the effectiveness of his exercise programme by using a special EMS suit for the first time. In this image, Maurer is training in an EMS suit with the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) on the ISS. The special exercise device strengthens the muscles, bones and endurance of the astronauts on the ISS. Image credit: NASA / ESA / M. Maurer