New Delhi, June 4 (IANS). As exciting as space travel is, it is equally challenging to bring the body back to normal after returning to Earth. Due to living in low gravity environment i.e. microgravity for a long time, many changes occur in the body of astronauts. This is why rehabilitation is considered very important for astronauts after returning from a space mission.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shakla gave detailed information about the rehabilitation of astronauts through a post on Instagram. He told that after the completion of the mission, the biggest challenge for the astronauts returning from space is to adapt their body again to the normal environment of the Earth. After living in microgravity for a long time, it is not easy for the body to feel the earth’s gravity again. That is why rehabilitation program becomes very important after a space mission.
Shubhanshu Shakla said, when you stay in space for weeks or months, the body becomes accustomed to such an environment where there is no significant difference between top and bottom. Due to lack of gravity, muscles become weak, bones start losing density, balance gets disturbed and blood circulation also gets affected. As soon as the body returns to Earth, it suddenly feels heavy, which makes it difficult to walk, stand and even do normal work.
In such a situation, post flight rehabilitation is a scientifically designed program. It is made individually according to the age, duration of the mission and physical condition of each astronaut. In this, exercises are started gradually. In the beginning, light stretching and balancing exercises are done. Later, strength-building weight training, cardio exercises and coordination-improving exercises are included. Expert trainers monitor the entire program and gradually increase the exercises.
Referring to his trainer Emil, Shubhanshu Shakla said that many times he felt that the trainer was finding new ways to make him fall. But this is the way to learn. The body is made strong again by falling, faltering and then recovering. The main goal of rehabilitation is to bring the astronaut back to normal life, so that they can walk without any problem and be ready for future missions.
In this process, physiotherapy, nutrition diet, muscle monitoring and mental health are also taken care of. Many astronauts complain of dizziness, fatigue and joint pain in the first few weeks, which are gradually cured through rehabilitation.
–IANS
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