Fitness and in-flight exercise training parameters predictive of functional task performance in astronauts following long-duration spaceflight.
Strock NC, Hardy JG, Hummel JW, Varanoske AN, Frisco DJ, Macaulay TR et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 2026
The Artemis era of spaceflight
Aims: for surface exploration under more physically demanding conditions than in previous missions. Understanding fitness, exercise, and functional performance is imperative to prepare astronauts to successfully accomplish mission
Objectives: following microgravity exposure. A retrospective analysis of 31 astronauts (11 F; preflight age 47.5 ± 6.2 yr, preflight body mass 78.1 ± 11.6 kg) was completed using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) flight studies (Functional Task Test, Field Test, Standard Measures) and astronaut medical testing data. Astronauts were tested before and after ∼6 mo of spaceflight to capture cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and sensorimotor functional task performance. In-flight exercise for cycle ergometry (CEVIS), treadmill (T2), and resistive (ARED) exercise was analyzed. Linear mixed models and regressions determined longitudinal changes and relationships between exercise, fitness, and functional outcomes. Peak aerobic capacity ([Formula: see text]; -8 to -10%; P P P = 0.001) were reduced ∼1-wk postflight. CEVIS and T2 exercise volume loads were associated with aerobic fitness ( r = 0.63-0.75; P r = 0.59-0.70; P P P = 0.007), explaining 8.6-32.7% of variability in outcomes. [Formula: see text] predicted jump settling time ( P = 0.013), accounting for 16% of variability. Preflight lower body strength accounted for 20-40% of variability in select performance outcomes ( P NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies exercise metrics most influential for fitness outcomes and, in turn, the extent to which fitness and exercise contribute to sensorimotor task performance up to 1-wk postflight.
Results: from this analysis inform which aspects of fitness and exercise may be relevant to protecting crew health and performance during planetary surface missions with implications for exercise countermeasures for exploration.