Conference attendees listen intently at a 2024 American Physiology Summit session. “Healthspan” is a new buzzword recently added to our vocabulary. It reflects the length of time we stay healthy rather than simply being alive. While the average lifespan in the U.S. is around 79 years, the average healthspan (the age at which someone develops … Continue reading Exercise and Healthspan Go Hand in Hand
astronauts
Space Travel Helps Us Learn about Our Gut
Credit: iStock During space travel, astronauts are exposed to a lack of gravity. This affects their physiology in different ways, including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal deconditioning, eye changes and immune dysfunction. However, less is known about the effects on the digestive system from spaceflight exposure. It’s important that we understand more about these effects because the … Continue reading Space Travel Helps Us Learn about Our Gut
What Happens to Astronauts’ Bodies in Space?
APS member and astronaut Jessica Meir, PhD, works in a microgravity environment on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA If I asked you where is up and where is down, you would most likely be able to identify it. This is because the Earth’s gravitational pull on your body makes it easier for you to … Continue reading What Happens to Astronauts’ Bodies in Space?