User:JimarEdg12/sandbox/Advanced resistive exercise device

Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) is an exercise machine developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for combating the loss of muscle and bone mass during extended periods of time in space.

Development

Space travel has shown that long duration in space has adverse effects on the body. Recordings can be traced to the 1960's when Gemini had a recorded space flight. Adaptation is what occurs to the human body and these effects can range from motion sickness to Spaceflight osteopenia, which the ARED has been created to try to combat and maintain muscle mass. Spaceflight osteopenia is the loss of bone mass to the human body during spaceflight.Up to 10% of muscle mass can be lost within 3-4 months, some of which can be permanent. For these reasons the ARED was created along with several other exercise machines like the Colbert. These machines have allowed astronauts to maintain themselves physically active and not cause permanent damage to their body.

Delivery

The ARED was delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on November 2008, on mission STS-126. STS-126 also transported the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which held over 14,000 lbs of utilities and supplies. Many experiments and other components were taken on the 16 day trip to the ISS.

Design

The overall design of the ARED consists of 7 assemblies (parts that make up the machine). The flywheel and vacuum pistons create the resistive force that can measure up to 600 pounds. Together the machine weighs up to 700 pounds and uses a power amount of 100 watts and peak power of 200 watts. Altogether the machine has a lifespan of 15 years and fits the needs of all personnel using the device.

Mechanism

In order to recreate the same gravitational conditions of using free weights in space the ARED uses two mechanisms, a flywheel and a series of vacuum cylinders. The vacuum cylinders, which are self enclosed and self lubricating are the main load of force created. The flywheel is just used to simulate the pulling and usage of the free weights like that on Earth. Cables are connected from the piston rods which connect to the flywheel and then the arm assemblies so as to interchange the arm assemblies and adjust them, will allow to change weight resistance. The vacuum cylinders do not require outside pressurized air.

Assemblies

• Exercise platform sub assembly: the floor assembly which is the base so as to do the exercises that use downward force. There are cells on the bottom to measure the force created.
  

• Cylinder/Flywheel assembly: used for all exercises, the cylinders make most of the force while the pulley is just used to resemble being pulled on normal gravitational conditions.
  

• Main arm assembly: The main arm assembly consists of a lift bar and wishbone arm that are connected by cables. Sensors are also placed to measure to the force created.
  

• Arm base assembly: An adjustable mechanism that connects with the cylinder/flywheel assembly, main arm assembly, cable/pulley assembly and the frame/platform assembly. There are two force measuring sensors and one rotational sensor.
  

• Belt/Pulley assembly: Used to create the ability to perform these exercises with the link of the pulleys and belt with the arm base assembly for different choices of weights.
  

• Exercise bench assembly: A retractable bench that is an accessory when doing exercises on the floor/ground.
  

• Heel block assembly: Another accessory that allows the ability to perform heel-raise exercises.
  

Tablet

The ARED has a touchscreen tablet connected to the device that tracks and records the exercise progress of all the astronauts on board the ISS. This information is relayed to Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center, and creates personalized exercises for the astronauts. The recommended exercise plans are to combat spaceflight osteopenia and not allow muscle mass to decline during spaceflight.

Functionality

Aboard the ISS are a wide variety of people. The ARED has to accommodate all personnel aboard the ISS and provide functional and progressive exercise routines in order to combat spaceflight osteopenia. The exercise device also needs to be lightweight, have low power consumption and most importantly, not pose any danger to the passengers aboard the ISS.

Maintenance

To maintain the device operational, there are monthly checks that inspect the conditions of the cables and normal wear of the machine. There is also re-calibration of sensors that measure out the weight of force applied to certain areas of the device.

Effectiveness

There has been a limited amount of data to compare the effectiveness of the ARED but a 16 week program has shown to keep the bone and muscle loss contained rather than building muscle and bone mass. Exercising alone is not the only preemptive measure, space agencies have looked into increasing the amount of calcium during spaceflight along with other measures in order to safely combat space osteopenia.

External links

• www.example.com