| Ankle extensors, comprised of muscles in the lower leg, experience the most profound muscle atrophy of any muscle group during periods of unloading or zero-G resulting in muscle loss in size, strength, and performance leading to decreased ability to perform daily activities on Earth and extravehicular activities in space. The flywheel ergometer produces inertial resistance exercise to develop or maintain muscle size and strength. Twenty-seven volunteers underwent plantar flexion exercise on the Flywheel Ergometer to assess ankle extensor muscle activity. Oxygen consumption was also measured through comparison of body weight and caloric expenditure during exercise on the flywheel ergometer. Results indicate that the flywheel ergometer provides resistance exercise for ankle extensors and that effort of muscle activity varies among ankle extensors. Body weight did not provide enough evidence to predict caloric expenditure. However, results do indicate the inconceivability of the Flywheel Ergometer becoming a spaceflight countermeasure. |
