Space, Gravity and the Physiology of Aging: Parallel or Convergent Disciplines? A Mini-Review
Abstract
The abnormal physiology that manifests itself in healthy humans during their adaptation to the microgravity of space has all the features of accelerated aging. The mechano-skeletal and vestibulo-neuromuscular stimuli which are below threshold in space, result in an overall greater than 10-fold more rapid onset and time course of muscle and bone atrophy in space and the development of balance and coordination problems on return to Earth than occur with aging. Similarly, the loss of functional capacity of the cardiovascular system that results in space and continuous bed rest is over 10 times faster than in the course of aging. Deconditioning in space from gravity deprivation has brought attention to the medical hazards of deconditioning on Earth from gravity withdrawal as in sedentary aging. Though seemingly reversible after periods of 6 months in space or its ground analog of bed rest, it remains to be seen whether that will be so after longer exposures. Both adaptation to space and aging do not merely parallel but converge as disorders of mechanotransduction. Like spaceflight, its analog bed rest telescopes the changes observed with aging and serves as a useful clinical model for the study of age-related deconditioning. The convergence of the disciplines of aging, along with gravitational and space physiology is advancing the understanding and prevention of modern lifestyle medical disorders.
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Bone loss occurs about ten times faster in spaceflight than in aging.
“For example, they conclude that bone atrophy occurs 10-times faster in spaceflight than with aging.”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [540]
Spaceflight causes losses of functional capacity across multiple organ systems, resembling accelerated aging.
“Inspection of this body of literature led Vernikos and Schneider (540) to contend that spaceflight results in losses of functional capacities in multiple organ systems, similar to an accelerated model mimicking aging.”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [540]
Four cosmonauts who spent up to 7 months on the Russian space station Mir lost about 1-1.6% of bone mineral density mainly from the spine, femoral neck, trochanter, and pelvis.
“Four cosmonauts who spent up to 7 months on the Russian space station Mir lost ~1–1.6% of bone mineral density mainly from the spine, femoral neck, trochanter and pelvis (540).”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [540]
Spaceflight data show that loading bone by gravity is a powerful stimulus to maintenance of bone mass.
“The spaceflight data shows that loading bone (gravity) is a powerful stimulus to maintenance of bone mass.”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [540]
Living in space for as little as 9 days accelerates problems of equilibrium on standing, walking, and coordination on return to Earth due to inappropriate neurovestibular responses.
“For example, living in space for as little as 9 days accelerates problems of equilibrium on standing, walking and coordination on return to Earth (caused by inappropriate neurovestibular responses) (540).”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [540]
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References 70 · Cited by 223
- Authors
- Vernikos, J., & Schneider, V. S.
- Affiliations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
- Venue
- Gerontology
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2009-10-23
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 157-166
- ISSN
- 0304-324X (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0003
- OpenAlex
- W2144293442
- Cited by
- 223
- References
- 70
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 0.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Gerontology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Effects of Vibration on Health
- Keywords
- spaceflight physiology, microgravity, accelerated aging, muscle atrophy, bone atrophy, balance and coordination, cardiovascular deconditioning, bed rest, sedentary aging, mechanotransduction
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Aging, Bed Rest, Biomechanical Phenomena, Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena, Gravitation, Humans, Models, Biological, Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena, Nervous System Physiological Phenomena, Space Flight, Weightlessness, Weightlessness Simulation
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