Real World: Physically Fit on Earth and Beyond
Staying fit isn't just important for you - it's critical for astronauts gearing up for demanding spaceflights! This Real World video features Corey Twine, a conditioning specialist from NASA's Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) group, sharing how he helps astronauts stay strong for life in reduced gravity and their return to Earth's 1G environment.
Share this episode with your learners and encourage them to write about what they learn by answering these questions:
Discussion and Writing Prompts:
Picture someone exercising. Would this exercise work muscles the same way on Earth as in space? What might you need to do to modify the exercise for similar results?
Why is physical fitness important?
What effect does gravity have on our bodies as we exercise on Earth?
What does an astronaut workout look like on Earth before going into space?
How does going into a reduced gravity environment impact our physical activity?
How do astronauts maintain their strength while in reduced gravity environments?
What does an astronaut workout look like once an astronaut returns to Earth after time in space?
Background Information
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA eClips Our World: Exercise in Space (video, grades 3-5) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Astronaut Strength and Conditioning Specialist Corey Twine (video, grades 3-12) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 4 through 8
- NASA eClips Real World: Heart Rate and Blood Pressure in Space (video, grades 4-8) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 6 though 12
- NASA Counteracting Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity (webpage, grades 6-12) ADDED RESOURCE
- NASA Experiments to Unlock How Human Bodies React to Long Space Journeys (webpage, grades 6-12)
- NASA Living in Space (webpage, grades 6-12)
- NASA The Human Body in Space (webpage, grades 6-12)
Activities
Grades K through 8
- Lunar and Planetary Institute Space Station: Bones of Contention (webpage, grades K-8) ADDED RESOURCE
- NASA Bag of Bones (pdf, grades K-8) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA Living Bones, Strong Bones (pdf, grades 3-5) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 3 through 12
- Science TREK Muscle Games (interactive, grades 3-12)
Grades 5 through 12
- NASA Train Like an Astronaut: Adapted Physical Activity Strategies (pdf, grades 5-12)
- NASA Train Like an Astronaut (webpage, grades 5-12)