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  EXPLORE FURTHER: NASA Astronauts Appear Significantly Healthier in Their Initial Appearance
  

The teenaged daughter of
NASA
Astronaut Butch Wilmore has addressed his struggles with health issues.
following an extended stay of over nine months in orbit
.

Daryn Wilmore, 19
He mentioned that although her father has been adapting to gravity, he has been having difficulties with his muscles, joints, and inner ear.

“That’s because he isn’t accustomed to gravity or having to support his own weight,” she replied to a remark made in the conversation.
TikTok
video.

Wilmore and his fellow astronaut, Sunita Williams, were originally slated to spend eight days together onboard the spaceship.
International Space Station
(ISS), but
remained unattended for 286 days
once the vehicle that transported them broke down.

Studies have indicated that astronauts undertaking extended missions aboard the ISS — typically lasting half a year — undergo muscle and bone deterioration along with alterations in fluid distribution within their inner ears because of the reduced gravitational environment.

Usually, it takes just a few days for the inner ear to adapt back to Earth’s gravitational pull, whereas recovering lost muscle strength may require anywhere from weeks to several months.

It can require as much as one and a half times the duration of their space mission for some ex-astronauts to truly regain their sense of self.

On Monday, Wilmore appeared fit when he made his initial public appearance following his return to Earth; however, his daughter’s remarks indicate that he may encounter several difficulties in the coming weeks.

Astronauts aboard the ISS encounter changes in fluid distribution within their inner ear, which can
interrupt auditory function, equilibrium and result in vertigo or lightheadedness
.

“Essentially, your inner ear tends to shut down somewhat in zero gravity,” said NASA flight surgeon Dr Natacha Chough.
NPR
.

‘When you bring back that feeling of seriousness, it might feel somewhat confusing.’

When astronauts come back to Earth, their inner ears might require several days to adapt to regular gravity conditions again. To facilitate this adjustment, they could perform specific walking exercises.

Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who conducted two missions aboard the International Space Station, mentioned to NPR that he needed to initially walk in a straight line before slowly beginning to turn.

‘The moment you begin spinning, your balance system gets disrupted, causing you to lose stability and potentially topple over,’ he explained. ‘Hence, you move forward in a straight line before making a turn; then repeat this process of walking straight followed by turning.’

When residing on the ISS, astronauts undergo considerable muscle and bone degradation as their bodies do not
need to put in just as much effort when working in low gravity
.

To minimize these effects, they work out for a minimum of two hours each day aboard the space station. However, upon returning to Earth, they require rehabilitation to aid them in reaching their pre-flight condition again.

Wilmore and Williams ultimately made their return to Earth on March 18, landing in a SpaceX Dragon capsule off the coast of Florida.

The duo is expected to participate in NASA’s 45-day refurbishment program, divided into three stages, necessitating daily workouts of two hours each, seven days a week.

The initial phase concentrates on restoring strength, flexibility, and walking capabilities. This could involve gait training exercises, range-of-motion activities, and obstacle navigation practice.

After the astronauts make significant advancements, they proceed to phase two, incorporating proprioceptive exercises along with cardiovascular reconditioning.

Proprioceptive exercises enhance bodily strength and refine the mind’s understanding of limb movement and spatial orientation. Instances encompass backward lunges, toe taps using resistance bands, and sumo squats combined with leg lifts.

In stage three, which spans the longest duration, efforts concentrate on restoring the astronaut’s peak physical condition via targeted functional skill enhancement exercises. This process aids them in reclaiming essential competencies and capacities required for executing professional duties as well as smoothly engaging in everyday activities.

Upon their return to Earth, Wilmore and Williams were quickly assisted out of the Dragon capsule and placed on stretchers before being rolled away for medical examinations.

This follows the usual protocol for astronauts returning from extended stays on the ISS, yet the immense force of gravity was clear as both individuals found difficulty in lifting their limbs.

Following their splashdown, NASA released images from the next day depicting Williams and Wilmore standing and walking. However, Williams appeared notably weak.

After being back on Earth for about two weeks, they appear to be adapting rapidly.

On Tuesday, the astronauts had their initial public engagements following their splashdown, taking part in a NASA press conference and an interview with Fox News. They both appeared to be in good health and spirits.

Williams, who previously raised health concerns because of images showing significant weight loss during her time on the ISS, mentioned that she was able to resume running after only two weeks back under Earth’s gravitational pull.

At the press conference, Williams stated: “It’s almost like a miracle to observe how the human body can adjust.”

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