Five Earth-based exercise innovations that could help astronauts stay healthy on the way to Mars.
To be human is to wonder. As a species, we are curious explorers who constantly seek to learn more about the world around us and the universe beyond. This curiosity-fueled exploration has fueled centuries of scientific discovery. Now, humans are looking to the Moon and Mars, and planning for a journey that could yield unimaginable discoveries and benefits. But a trip to Mars will require more than a great spaceship; it will require humans to survive on a journey we have never had to survive before.
Spending time in space has a profound impact on the human body and its systems — from bone and muscle strength to vision and balance. Just last month, two NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth after an unplanned extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). They are currently in a progressive recovery program, guided by an expert team of doctors and trainers, to help them regain their strength.
After six months in space, astronauts lose 20% of their bone mass; even during short flights, they can lose 20% of muscle mass, despite exercise countermeasures. A potential 850-day Earth-to-Mars mission would test the human body in new ways, and researchers already know that current exercise countermeasures won’t be sufficient for longer-duration space travel. To meet this “horizon goal for human exploration,” space agencies like NASA will need to invest in health and fitness innovation.
As space missions extend beyond low Earth orbit toward the Moon and Mars, exercise countermeasures face a fundamental challenge: delivering the physiological benefits of Earth-based exercise within a constrained microgravity environment. While current ISS systems effectively maintain crew health through cycling, running, and resistance training, these solutions often rely on bulky and heavy equipment. The next generation of exercise countermeasures must achieve the same or better health outcomes with dramatically reduced mass, volume, and resource requirements.
Of course, the majority of humans won’t make a trip to Mars anytime soon. But those of us who stay on Earth still benefit from the innovations developed for space. Technologies like camera phones, baby formula, smoke detectors, and wireless headphones were developed as a result of the technology invented for space travel. The constraints of space require us to design things that would work in all sorts of extreme environments and situations — low-connectivity, remote areas, post-disaster recovery, extreme cold or extreme heat, and confined spaces — for a range of demographics. When we learn about improving human health in space, we learn how to improve human health on Earth.
Recent advances across multiple domains offer promising new approaches to space-based exercise. From neuromuscular electrical stimulation suits used in athletic recovery to compact resistance systems designed for rehabilitation, innovations in adjacent fields are producing technologies that could be adapted for microgravity. Similarly, developments in biomonitoring — from advanced photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to AI-enhanced exercise tracking — are creating new possibilities for measuring effectiveness with minimal equipment footprint. We recently spoke with experts and reviewed several types of terrestrial solutions that could be adapted for space, and we felt particularly inspired by five potential categories of technologies and tools.
Wearables
Apple Watch, Google Fitbit, and other connected devices are ubiquitous now, and many people use wearables to collect health data and track their workouts. Some companies that make connected devices also have recovery and exercise products; earlier this year, Therabody — makers of massage guns and other recovery tools — announced a partnership with Garmin to help power its AI-enhanced recovery plans. For specific use cases that require functionality beyond consumer-grade devices, companies like Empatica offer FDA-cleared medical-grade wearables to collect and monitor digital biomarkers and other clinical data.
Small-footprint machines for resistance training
In places where space is severely constrained — such as a small urban apartment, submarine quarters, or the ISS — bulky exercise equipment isn’t practical. Resistance training that uses calibrated bands and body weight instead of weights can minimize space requirements while still providing an effective workout. Amp and Tonal both make AI-powered home gyms designed for consumers; these sleek systems save space while also tracking fitness data. Physical Mind London’s HIFIm (High Frequency Impulses for Microgravity machine), designed specifically for astronauts, simulates jumping exercises that can help maintain muscles and bones during space travel.
Electronic stimulation technology
Neuromusculoskeletal stimulation (NMES) uses a device to send electrical impulses to nerves, which cause muscle contractions. This technology — sometimes called electro muscle stimulation (EMS) — is not new; physiotherapists have used it for decades to treat sports injuries, and there’s a large evidence base for NMES. Wearable devices like Katalyst’s EMS suit can boost muscle activation and make workouts more efficient.
Blood-flow restriction therapy
Blood-flow restriction therapy (BFR), also known as Kaatsu training, uses cuffs to modulate venous blood flow to active muscles. When used during low-intensity resistance exercise, users gain strength and muscle mass with reduced joint stress. First developed by a Japanese doctor in the 1960s, the KAATSU company now offers arm and leg bands that can be adjusted and controlled via a smartphone app; the app also captures data that can be shared with trainers and healthcare providers.
Vibration therapy
Vibration therapy was first developed by NASA as an exercise countermeasure. It involves standing, sitting, or lying on a platform that sends vibrations through the body, stimulating bones and muscles. Researchers and medtech companies see potential to use this as a treatment for degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis; it’s just one of many innovations developed for use in space that may be used to support and enhance human health on Earth.
Luminary Labs’ work spans a broad cross section of topics across four focus areas — the future of work and education, the future of health, scientific discovery, and infrastructure — and our space portfolio includes MagQuest (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), as well as previous engagements such as CTE Mission: CubeSat, Middle Grades CTE Accelerator, and the Your Place in Space Challenge (U.S. Department of Education).
Later this month, we’ll be at Space Week NY 2025 to explore how all of our focus areas intersect with New York’s growing space economy. If you’ll also be at Space Week, we’d love to meet with you: Connect with us on LinkedIn.
Mars crater photo courtesy of NASA.
