I'm wondering if it is harmful to your health to live in zero gravity for an extended period of time.
2007-01-26 00:25:41 · 8 answers · asked by dudeness 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
There is a great Wikipedia article on this (see link). I'd heard the main problems with zero-g were muscle and bone atrophy, but that astronauts can prevent this by doing special excercises. But the article also mentions negative long term effects on our internal organs and blood pressure. Sux that we just weren't built for it, but I'm sure we could find a way to minimize these problems too in time.
To space!
2007-01-26 00:39:02 · answer #1 · answered by skatc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without the force of gravity bones and muscles atrophy (shrink and deteriorate). So living at zero gravity would be harmful to humans; however, we are a smart species and would come up with something to prevent the negative affects of gravity. NASA scientists are currently working on this problem.
2007-01-26 09:56:34 · answer #2 · answered by michelle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The muscles would eventually atrope (sp) and become useless. But that is an overstatement since the extended period of time could be a lifetime. I believe that over an extended period of time, our body would conform to our surrounding environment and we would change shape and size to fit that environment. So, humans as we know them would no longer exist...but, I do think that life could and would exist in another form if we could manage the health complications that would occur as we morph into another being.
Yes, there are harmful aspect to extended periods of time at zero gravity...test are now being done to see the extent of the medical problems that could or would arise and how to best deal with them. Exercise with elastic resistance might be helpful because simply moving against zero does not help muscle strength.
NV
2007-01-26 08:47:58 · answer #3 · answered by NITA E 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Zero gravity is at least it is abnormal environment for human. Your body works a bit differently which is easier for it. The main problem is not zero gravity even for longer period but returning to gravity.
2007-01-26 11:18:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, humans could physically live out their lives in zero gravity. Muscle atrophy and loss of bone density would likely shorten their lives, but they would live their lives to the end.
2007-01-26 11:15:06 · answer #5 · answered by OMGWTFBBQ!!1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is harmful. Recent news reports state that even with all the exercise the astronauts do on the space station, they still lose bone mass and may have other trouble.
2007-01-26 08:37:09 · answer #6 · answered by gosh137 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes definitely. Firstly your muscles will start to degenrate and shrink as they won't get enough weight bearing exercises. Also your bones will suffer from osteoporosis. They will become less dense and brittle as there won't be weight acting on them to maintiain their strnegth and density. Don't take gravity for granted!!
2007-01-26 08:37:37 · answer #7 · answered by Southpaw 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No harm.
2007-01-26 08:31:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋