Research Focus

Understanding Human Adaptation to Spaceflight

The Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory was established to explore one of the most pressing challenges in human spaceflight: how the human body adapts to life beyond Earth. In microgravity, the absence of mechanical loading leads to rapid deconditioning of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and sensorimotor systems, particularly the leg and lumbopelvic/spinal musculature that plays a vital role in posture and movement. Over time, these changes can compromise astronaut health, performance, and safety, both in flight and upon return to Earth.

Our research investigates the mechanisms underlying these adaptations, using advanced physiological monitoring, biomechanical analysis, and simulated spaceflight environments. We aim to characterise how key tissue groups respond to altered gravity, inactivity, and unloading, and to identify strategies that maintain physiological health and performance across missions of varying duration and gravitational exposure.

We achieve the aims of our research through participation in major space-agency research campaigns and commercial human spaceflight missions, as well as through using our very own micro- and hypo- (reduced) gravity analogue facility, the Variable Gravity Suspension System (VGSS).

From Post-Flight Recovery to In-Flight Countermeasures

Originally, the lab’s work focused on post-flight lumbopelvic musculoskeletal reconditioning, helping astronauts regain normal musculoskeletal function following return to Earth. Over time, our focus expanded to include in-flight countermeasures - interventions designed to prevent deconditioning rather than simply reverse it. This shift reflects the needs of modern space exploration, where astronauts may spend months or even years in partial or microgravity environments on the International Space Station, lunar outposts, or future Mars missions. 

One example of novel in-flight exercise countermeasures being developed by our Lab is blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise.  

The Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory is at the global forefront of the application of BFR exercise across both terrestrial and space contexts.  Blood flow restriction exercise is a technique that uses carefully controlled partial occlusion of arterial blood flow to elicit musculoskeletal and cardiovascular adaptations under low external mechanical load. 

This approach is designed to maximise physiological benefit while minimising volume, mass, and power requirements, and stress on environmental control and life support systems - critical factors in spacecraft design. We have also demonstrated efficacy in clinical rehabilitation and injury prevention on Earth, bridging the gap between space medicine and terrestrial health science. 

Translating Space Insights to Earth

The lessons learned from human adaptation to space environments extend beyond astronaut health. Our research has direct implications for clinical populations on Earth experiencing disuse, immobility, or neuromuscular weakness, such as people with low back pain or urinary incontinence, older adults with sarcopenia and associated comorbidities, individuals recovering from surgery, or those with neurological disorders. Through the translation of space-derived exercise concepts, the lab contributes to improved rehabilitation outcomes, demonstrating the mutual benefit of space-to-Earth innovation.