NASA's 20-G Centrifuge Machine

Roland Piquepaille writes "Scientists from NASA and two U.S. universities are using a 20-G centrifuge machine that can simulate up to 20 times the terrestrial gravity to evaluate the effects of hypergravity on humans. This 58-foot diameter centrifuge has three cabins, one for humans -- limited to 12.5 G -- and two for objects and flying hardware. The goal of these experiments is to reduce the adverse effects that space travel can have on astronauts' physical heath. But by studying the health benefits of exercise on astronauts, the researchers also hope to help the rapidly growing senior population who, like astronauts, doesn't exercise much. Read more for additional details and pictures about this NASA's machine."

Very interestng proposal...

[kitsunewarlock]

I've personally wanted to play around with a "high gravity" machine for a long time. Training in one would be the ultimate experience for any athlete I'm sure. I just wonder if the intense G's would actually strengthen your organs and bones by stress-testing them, so to speak, or just weaken them. Probably the latter.

Re:Very interestng proposal...

[electrosoccertux]

Certain techniques can strengthen bones. What you speak of, stress-testing them, is a common way of building bone mass among martial artists. Actually they don't have to work at it, it just happens. Bones are an interconnected calcium (among other things) mesh. In between these connections, there are lots of miniature bubbles and air pockets. When the fighter repeatedly hits an object with enough force, the pressure in the bones breaks the weakest parts of the mesh. Later these get built back. But this time they are much stronger, and can withstand more force.

Since the centrifugal machine is sustained force and not an impulse, I doubt would inherently make your bones stonger. As far as making organs tougher, there are other ways to do that. Having a friend drop a medicine ball on your stomach while you tense it is a great way to toughen your abdomen.

Re:Gravity of which planet?

[mlyle]

terrestrial P Pronunciation Key (t-rstr-l)
adj.
Of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants.

Ummmm Astronaughts are in Fantastic shape.

[feyhunde]

I've got a chance to meet a few when I was working on a college project a few years back that had Nasa ties.
Don Pettit, former ISS Science Officer, was up for around 6 months. You'd think he'd be like that Russian who was too weak to walk and had a critical loss of bone density.

Nope. He got up, and with in a week was running 10 miles or more a day. He lost essentially no bone density. Freaking fantastic shape he's in. All the astronaut core is like that. It's all about constant exercise and having impact exercise.

CT Scanners

[vectra14]

We were recently discussing CT scanners in a class... those things spin pretty damn fast, with all of the electronics experiencing something like 20G's... for hours and hours and hours. And the gantry is these days pretty damn heavy and insanely complex (i wonder how they get the data from the spinning sensors? surely not a million sliprings?) I suppose still maybe MRI is more impressive with its multi-tesla QUICKLY changing magnetic fields.