Imagine lacing up your running shoes and hitting the track, but instead of a flat oval, you’re racing around the inside of a giant wooden cylinder. Oh, and you’re running in outer space.
Well, this is exactly what exercise physiologists Gaspare Pavei and Valentina Natalucci attempted in their quest to emulate low-gravity exercise on the moon.
This innovative experiment took place inside a structure called the Wall of Death, commonly found in amusement parks, where daredevils on motorcycles try to defy gravity by zipping around its circular walls.
What’s The Need for Out-Of-This-World Exercise?
The moon’s gravity is only about one-sixth that of Earth’s, which presents significant challenges for astronauts’ fitness and health. On Earth, running and other weight-bearing activities build muscle, promote good cardiovascular health, and strengthen bones.
However, in low gravity, muscles atrophy, and bones weaken.
A mere six months in space can cause as much damage to bones as a decade of aging on Earth. This problem has driven scientists to search for effective exercise solutions for future astronauts.
Everything You Need To Know About The Experiment
On a dreary day near Parma, Italy, Pavei and Natalucci suited up to take on the Wall of Death, not for thrills, but for science.
With harnesses and bungee cords attached to a nearly 40-meter-tall crane, they reduced their body weight to mimic the lack of gravity found in space.
The goal was to run horizontally along the cylinder’s curved walls, generating centrifugal force to stay aloft, much like when water stays in a bucket when whirled overhead.
The Thrill of the First Run
Pavei made the first attempt, sprinting straight at the wall only to skid gently back down. After a few tries, he took a hint from the Wall of Death motorcyclists and approached the wall at an angle, running up a ramp at the cylinder’s base.
Suddenly, Pavei was running nearly horizontally, shoes slapping the wall, body parallel to the ground.
The team, led by Alberto Minetti from the University of Milan, watched in awe.
Minetti had spent nearly two years organizing the experiment, from renting the crane to convincing the university to support this unconventional research.
Data Collection and Results
The team collected data on the distance traveled, foot contact time, and airborne time during the runs.
This allowed them to calculate the runners’ velocity and the force generated—about three-quarters of Earth’s gravity.
Their findings suggest that if moon colonists ran eight to nine laps per day, it would be sufficient to prevent bone loss, based on previous studies on bone density after bed rest and exercise.
The Future of Moon Running
No, we probably won’t see moon running in the Olympics anytime soon, but it is a sign of a bright future for science and what we can do to keep our astronauts healthy.
With only one day for experiments on the Wall of Death, Minetti’s team is eager for more. They have plans to build their own dedicated structure, the Moon Wall (M-Wall), tailored for lab experiments to allow for more extensive testing and refinement of the moon running technique.
The Speed Challenge
One key challenge for moon runners is the need for speed.
They must run at about 5 to 6 meters per second, roughly equivalent to a 5-minute mile.
While this speed might seem daunting, it’s achievable in shorter bursts by non-elite athletes. Faster running would generate more artificial gravity, providing greater benefits.
What’s Next?
The prospect of moon running opens up exciting possibilities for maintaining physical health in low-gravity environments.
With further research and development, this technique could become a vital part of life on the moon or other planets. And who knows—perhaps one day we’ll see elite athletes like Usain Bolt testing their speed on the moon!
