Space Fitness: ISS Inhabitant Matthias Maurer Posts Video Showing Him Doing Some Exercise Beyond Walking

 International Space Station inhabitant Matthias Maurer recently shared a 360-degree video that shows him performing some exercise on the treadmill, with the harness to guarantee that he does not flow away from the machine in the microgravity condition.

As indicated in a Digital Trends report, while spacewalk on the ISS necessitates climbing into an oftentimes an unmanageable spacesuit for a six-hour shift outside the orbital, a so-called "space run" is a mere case of effortlessly drifting to the Node 3 module, also called "Tranquility," fastening a harness, stepping onto the T2 treadmill, and pressing the "on" button.

On his Twitter post, Maurer said addressing the public, they've seen a spacewalk, "how about a space run?" Essentially, T2 in Node 3 is what the ISS inhabitant described as their "trusty and treadmill," and when they strap themselves in with the harness and bungees it's nearly like running on Earth.

ALSO READ: 4G Network on the Moon: NASA and Nokia Sign Deal to Make It Possible

Video Taken with a 360 Camera 

As the video footage was captured with a 360 camera, one can drag a picture around to explore the totality of Tranquility as Maurer does the run. On the other hand, a more detailed video of the module is available.

Maurer, who entered the space station in November 2021, recently uploaded another video that showed him using the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device or ARED, a machine that features pneumatic cylinders that generate the essential force to offer a vital body workout.

Essentially, another machine astronaut can use part of his daily two-hour workout sessions is the Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization System or CEVIS, a specially designed bicycle that's perfect for aerobic exercise.

ISS Numerous Machines in Action

The video by NASA taken from a couple of years ago shows the numerous ISS fitness machines in action. It also offers more information on the workout plans of the astronauts.

Meanwhile, in a similar report, Timezone Games specified that the microgravity conditions aboard the ISS mean that the muscles of astronauts are experiencing very little use of function, a situation that can result in rapid deterioration unless they carry out regular workouts.

Moreover, for those wondering if astronauts ever sweat in space, this report says, the answer is "yes" they indeed sweat.

There is one notable difference though. While on this planet, gravity is causing the excreted sweat to roll down the body and face, in space, it's staying where it is forming, producing a film of salty liquid on the skin. In this circumstance, absorbent towels become very useful to wipe those sweat out.

Staying Fit in Space

According to NASA, during a space flight, "the microgravity environment" is nearly too easy on the human body and does not provide the resistance needed for physical exercise. In fact, astronauts spending four to six months in space, like the ISS crews, are losing bone mass at a rate of roughly one to two percent each month in orbit.

However, the Resistance Exercise Device or RED system on the Space Station is a part of an equipment's tripod onboard the Station, helping to offset that loss through aerobic activity, strength and muscle training, and cardiovascular training.

Meanwhile, countermeasure activities usually performed on-orbit include the RED, stimulating weight lifting in microgravity; Treadmill with VIS or Vibration Isolation System, modifying treadmill for microgravity; and a Cyclergometer with VIS, a modified cycle for microgravity.

Report about Maurer's running exercise is shown on ESA's YouTube video below:

RELATED ARTICLE: Spaceflight Not Good for the Human Body? NASA Study Reveals Effects of Weightlessness on Health

Check out more news and information on Space and Medicine & Health in Science Times.