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Pressurized Device For Mitigating Atrophy In Soleus During Long-Duration Spaceflight, Ramona Tovar Briones, Kimhab Sor, Breandrea Diaz, Dona Varghese, Benjamin Easter, Hunter Alvis, Brandon R. Rigby

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A major concern with long duration spaceflight, skeletal muscle atrophy is most detrimental in lower limb musculature, particularly in muscles critical for proper gait, such as the soleus. The decline of muscle activation and the suppression of sensory input from plantar sole mechanoreceptors can add to the attenuation of skeletal muscle health during spaceflight. More specifically, inhibition of sensory input from sole receptors, such as with gravitational unloading, decreases selective activation, thereby negatively affecting muscle tone and inevitably resulting in lower limb atrophy. PURPOSE: To design, fabricate, and test a specialized boot with an insole that applies oscillating pneumatic …