Veteran NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are battling potential long-term back issues after a nearly year-long stint in space.
According to the Daily Mail, the duo's prolonged exposure to microgravity has significantly weakened their spinal structures, necessitating a rigorous and extended rehabilitation program upon their return to Earth.
During their 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station, Williams, 59, and Wilmore, 62, experienced conditions that led to the weakening of their back and core muscles. This affliction is not uncommon among spacefarers; studies show that about one-third of astronauts suffer from chronic back pain following prolonged missions.
The phenomenon is primarily attributed to the spine's response to zero gravity – it lengthens and straightens in space, only to compress and curve once back under Earth's gravity. This rapid transition can lead to severe discomfort and long-lasting spinal health issues.
Frank Rubio, another NASA astronaut, encountered similar challenges. Rubio's back pain became a significant hurdle following his unexpected extended stay of 371 days on the ISS, a result of a Soyuz spacecraft collision with space debris.
NASA's medical team is well-prepared for these challenges, as evidenced by Rubio's experience, which involved an intensive two to three months of rehabilitation. "It took him two to three months of rehabilitation and reclamation to feel normal again once he was back on Earth," Rubio shared in an interview with Time Magazine in January 2024.
The rehabilitation process for astronauts like Williams and Wilmore is comprehensive, targeting various aspects of physical health to ensure a thorough recovery.
Upon their return, astronauts undergo a 45-day rehabilitation protocol that focuses initially on regaining motion and basic strength. This phase is crucial as it prepares the body for more strenuous activities that will come later in the rehabilitation process.
The subsequent stages involve proprioceptive exercises and cardio reconditioning, which are vital for restoring balance and cardiovascular health, respectively. The final phase concentrates on functional development that enables astronauts to undertake high-intensity workouts.
Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a specialist involved in astronaut recovery, explains, "It will likely take at least three to six months for them to feel fully normal again, and probably longer for their spine to return to pre-flight condition."
Dr. Deena Adimoolam highlights the mechanics behind the spinal issues: "In space, the spinal column expands due to the lack of gravity." She added, "When the astronauts return to Earth, the spinal column compresses due to gravity which can lead to back pain."
These insights are pivotal in developing training and recovery programs that address the unique conditions astronauts face during and after missions. For example, Dr. John Jaquish recommends osteogenic loading exercises, which involve exerting a force of up to 4.2 times the astronaut's body weight to stimulate bone growth and recovery.
Despite the challenges, recovery outcomes look promising with the right interventions. Dr. Michael Eng notes, "Williams and Wilmore can pretty much count on a level of muscle atrophy, even at the smallest of levels."
Recovery durations can extend up to 1.5 times the length of the mission, underscoring the severity and persistence of health issues post-space travel. The variation in recovery time among astronauts underscores the complexity of human health in space.
With Williams and Wilmore's recent splashdown off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, marking the end of their space journey, the focus shifts to their long-term health. As they and other astronauts recover, the lessons learned will not only enhance treatment protocols but also improve the preparation for future astronauts as they ready themselves for the rigors of space travel.
Dr. Jazini concludes with a note on the recovery journey: "Just like I tell my patients, they’ll need a lot of patience and consistency in the rehabilitation process." As space travel becomes more frequent, understanding and mitigating its health impacts will be paramount.
