The BBC News reports on a recent study at the French space agency's Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology where volunteers spent two months in bed. The aim was to better understand how extended stays in space could impact the body, causing a loss of bone mass, fluid, and muscle. From the article:
The volunteers were subjected to a strict regime during their stay. They were divided into three groups: a group taking exercise adapted to a lying-down position, a nutrition group with a special diet including protein supplements and a control group.
(Participant Morag Roberts) was in the exercise group, which she was very happy about.
"We did the exercise in the same position – one shoulder touching the bed," she said in a phone call from the clinic.
"You're always at a 6 degree angle, even for the shower…"
During the three month experiment, the volunteers had some home comforts, including laptop computers, TV and music.
They were also able to do language and drawing classes, and were visited by astronauts.
