SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS DESIGN EXERCISE CONCEPTS FOR NASA ASTRONAUTS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In its third major studio project in coordination with NASA, students at the School of Architecture have developed concepts for exercise equipment that may ultimately be used by astronauts on long-term, zero gravity missions.

Their recommendations were presented to the public Monday, May 7 at 1 p.m. in Vol Walker Hall, Room 103. The students and Ted Krueger, assistant professor of architecture, and Jerry Wall, professor of architecture, who both coordinated the studio, will be available for comments and questions following the presentation, at approximately 3 p.m.

Physical deterioration occurs rapidly in zero gravity-in short-term missions astronauts can lose as much as 40 percent of their muscle mass. In long-term missions, the potential for physical deterioration is even greater. Daily exercise becomes critical to maintain and monitor an astronaut’s health. For astronauts, however, the exercise can also become monotonous and sometimes stressful, due to time constraints.

As a result, the students developed exercise equipment prototypes that would prevent physical deterioration in long-term missions and provide psychological benefits as well.

"We didn’t want to start with Earth-bound exercise equipment and make it good enough for zero gravity," Krueger said. "We wanted to start with zero gravity and make equipment that would work. We’re offering a new way to think about the research we have about an astronaut’s life during a long-term mission."

The students created a unique exercise experience that engages all of the user’s muscles and senses to enhance the overall exercise experience. In one recumbent bicycle prototype, the rider exercises in front of a wraparound screen that would put the rider in a "real-life" situation. Theoretically, an astronaut could choose where he would ride-on the Mars surface, on the beach or even through their own neighborhood.

Unlike a typical stationary bicycle, the rider controls the speed and direction of the bicycle by using balance and his or her arm and leg muscles to steer. The sound and feel various terrain is also simulated for the rider.

"A lot of what you experience on the bicycle comes from yourself-your posture, your reaction to the sights on the screen and the sounds," Krueger said. "You end up getting a lot out of very little equipment."

The astronaut benefits from physical activity that is both engaging and interesting because it is physically and mentally stimulating. During a long-term mission, this type of exercise formula addresses the challenges astronauts face today.

The School of Architecture has completed three major studio projects in cooperation with NASA and David J. Fitts, B. Arch. ’80, Flight Crew Support Division of NASA. Previous projects included developing concepts to support long-term habitation of Mars and designing work surfaces for use in the International Space Station.