High intensity training during spaceflight: results from the NASA Sprint Study

Historically, International Space Station (ISS) exercise countermeasures have not fully protected astronauts’ musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness. Although these losses have been reduced on more recent missions, decreasing the time required to perform in-flight exercise would permit reallocation of that time to other tasks. To evaluate the effectiveness of a new training prescription, ISS crewmembers performed either the high intensity/lower volume integrated Sprint resistance (3 d wk(−1)) and aerobic (interval and continuous workouts, each 3 d wk(−1) in alternating fashion) exercise program (n = 9: 8M/1F, 48 ± 7 y, 178 ± 5 cm, 77.7 ± 12.0 kg) or the standard ISS countermeasure consisting of daily resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 17: 14M/3F, 46 ± 6 y, 176 ± 6 cm, 80.6 ± 10.5 kg) during long-duration spaceflight. Bone mineral density (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)), muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometry), muscle function (cone agility test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO(2peak)) were assessed pre- and postflight. Mixed-effects modeling was used to analyze dependent measures with alpha set at P < 0.05. After spaceflight, femoral neck bone mineral density (−1.7%), knee extensor peak torque (−5.8%), cone agility test time (+7.4%), and VO(2peak) (−6.1%) were decreased in both groups (simple main effects of time, all P < 0.05) with a few group × time interaction effects detected for which Sprint experienced either attenuated or no loss compared to control. Although physiologic outcomes were not appreciably different between the two exercise programs, to conserve time and optimally prepare crewmembers for the performance of physically demanding mission tasks, high intensity/lower volume training should be an indispensable component of spaceflight exercise countermeasure prescriptions.