To stay healthy while working on the Moon, astronauts can use the Wall of Death

Space beyond Earth is not only harsh, it also drains the life force from astronauts in many ways .

In addition to challenges related to food and space radiation, the extraterrestrial environment also causes astronauts' bones and muscles to degrade, causing the astronauts' health to improve upon returning to Earth. The impact of space on human health is a major factor preventing humanity from settling on other celestial bodies. In addition to the effects of radiation, weak gravity also causes muscles, bones and nerves in the human body to disappear over time.

The phenomenon of bone and muscle atrophy that occurs in extraterrestrial environments is called "atropy" - (Photo: Internet).

In an effort to solve the above problems, researchers have found a new exercise method to help astronauts stay in shape while working on the Moon. Published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the new research results are especially important in a context where countries are frantically trying to send scientists to the Moon.

To prevent this, scientists recommend that future lunar astronauts increase their jogging. Specifically, astronauts should participate in running several times a day on a unique device, which will probably be familiar to those who often go to see circus performances by motorbike.

Astronauts practice running on the Wall of Death - (Video: The Guardian).

The 'scientific name' of this device is 'Wall of Death', roughly translated as 'Wall of Death', widely used in motorbike performances. In the new test, a group of astronauts were hung up by bungee ropes and ran on the Wall of Death in conditions that simulated gravity on the Moon.

The test group not only ran fast enough to run on the wall, but also created a certain amount of lateral force to counteract muscle and bone wasting.

' I am extremely surprised because no one has tried this idea ,' said Alberto Minetti, a professor of physiology at the University of Milan. ' This may be a suitable training method [for the Lunar environment] '. This method is also easier to implement than building a centrifugal Moon base like Space Station One in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The fictional space station in the cinematic masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey - (Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Stanley Kubrick Productions).

According to calculations by Professor Minetti and his colleagues, on Earth, it is difficult for humans to run on the Wall of Death without falling. But in the weak gravity of the Moon, which is only 1/6 of Earth's, this activity is much easier. According to the research team, an astronaut only needs to run at a speed of 12 km/h.

As a test, a crane with a bungee cord hoisted two researchers, allowing them to run across a 10-meter-wide Wall of Death; Elastic ropes and cranes help simulate weak gravity on the Moon.

Combined with data obtained from the treadmill, scientists concluded : just running for a few minutes on this machine twice in the morning and evening will help create a horizontal traction force, or in other words is an artificial force of gravity, large enough to help strengthen muscles and bones, while also preserving the motor nervous system from destruction.

And instead of building such a Wall on the Moon, future astronauts could run in a pre-built cylindrical outpost with flat walls, so they can practice indoors. The method is now feasible, so researchers are continuing to ask: whether the Moon's surface is spacious enough to build an outpost that integrates so many functions.