Researchers warn that astronauts lose decades' worth of bone mass in space that they don't recover even after a year back on Earth.
The lack of gravity in space can cause astronauts to lose up to 2% of their bone density every month.
The study scanned the wrists and ankles of 17 astronauts before and after they spent time on the International Space Station.
The amount of bone density lost by astronauts was equivalent to how much they would lose if they were back on Earth.
The researchers found that the shinbone density of nine of the astronauts had not fully recovered after a year on Earth.
The astronauts who went on the longest missions were the least likely to recover. The more time you spend in space, the less bone you lose.
Plans for future missions to Mars could see astronauts spending years in space.
Is it going to get worse over time? He didn't know.
It is1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556 is1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556 I don't think we'd keep losing it until there's nothing left.
According to a 2020 modelling study, a third of astronauts will be at risk of osteoporosis during their three year journey to Mars.
Some answers could come from the research currently being done on astronauts who spent at least a year on the space station.
Guillemette Gauquelin-Koch said that the weightlessness experienced in space is the most drastic physical activity there is.
The doctor, who was not part of the study, said that even with two hours of sport a day, it's like you're not moving. It will be difficult for the crew to set foot on Mars.
A new study shows how spaceflight alters the structure of bones themselves.
It would be as if some of the connecting metal rods that hold the structure up were lost if you thought of a body's bones. We don't actually create new rods when we come back to Earth.
The study found that certain exercises are better for bone mass retention. It said that dead lifting was more effective than running or cycling.
The astronauts, who were mostly fit and in their 40s, didn't notice the bone loss that was caused by osteoporosis.
Robert Thirsk, who has spent the most time in space, said that his bones and muscles take the longest to recover from spaceflight.
He said in a statement that he felt comfortable after landing.
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