In-Vitro Measurements of Microgravity Induced Kinematics Changes on Spine

Abstract

It has been observed that astronauts gain height up to 7 cm during space flight due to microgravity effects. This is due partly to the swelling of inter vertabral Dics (IVD). As a result of this most astronauts experiences low back pain. The mechanisms of pain are not well understood yet. The physiological changes that occur from microgravity environment are simulated via bed rest studies on earth. These studies verify the height change and are good simulations of the microgravity of Space Flight. There has not been any studies showing how the fluid shift effects the kinematics of the spine. In our study we designed a ground based in-vitro experiment to measure the kinematics changes induced by microgravity on spine.