Bone and body mass changes during space flight

Acta Astronaut. 1995 Oct-Dec;36(8-12):463-6. doi: 10.1016/0094-5765(95)00131-x.

Abstract

Body mass, calcium and skeletal changes occur in humans who have worked in microgravity. Physiologic changes are seen as early as one week and are still occurring 312 days into space flight. The physiologic changes in bone and mineral metabolism may be among those which limits long duration space flight if an adequate countermeasure is not developed. The purpose of this paper is to summarize what is known about calcium dynamics and bone mineral changes as well as associated changes of body mass induced by space flight. The data reported is from a variety of studies conducted in both actual and simulated space flight.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Bed Rest
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / etiology
  • Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / urine
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism*
  • Bone and Bones / physiopathology
  • Calcaneus / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / urine
  • Humans
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / urine
  • Space Flight*
  • Weightlessness / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • Calcium