UAE astronaut conducts a cardiovascular test on the ISS
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has conducted a cardiovascular experiment onboard the International Space Station (ISS) for researchers attached to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Simon Fraser University, and The University of North Dakota.
The cardiovascular experiment focussed on cardio breath and is a critical analysis of the impact of microgravity on cardiovascular and respiratory functions in humans.
Al Neyadi conducted the cardiovascular study in two phases. In the experiment’s first phase, Al Neyadi, a former Dubai Police helicopter pilot, pedalled a tethered exercise cycle for 25 minutes.
The data from the pedalling exercise was tracked by ground-based researchers who monitored Al Neyadi’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and activity levels during both the exercise cycle and after that, while he was standing still in microgravity, to measure the effect of his balance.
In the second stage of the experiment, Al Neyadi wore a custom-fitted bio-monitor vest developed for the CSA.
Microgravity environment
At the same time, his heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and activity levels were monitored via the bio-monitor as he floated in the microgravity environment inside the ISS.
The cardiovascular experiment results will be further analysed by researchers on the ground to determine various countermeasures for cardiorespiratory risks that astronauts can encounter in space.
The research also aims to benefit the study and recovery of elderly patients on Earth.
In addition to Al Neyadi, other astronauts aboard the ISS regularly monitor their heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and ECG using the CSA’s bio-monitor vest.
The cardiovascular study aims to observe changes in how astronauts’ cardiovascular and respiratory systems control blood pressure to ensure that humans stay healthy in space.
The study also seeks to showcase the deconditioning that weightlessness can cause on human physiology while shedding light on comparing data between male and female astronauts.
MBRSC role
Al Neyadi represents the Dubai-based Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre MBRSC), and he is currently on track to achieving the most extended Arab astronaut space mission.
The Emirati astronaut and his fellow astronauts onboard the ISS return to Earth this week, as NASA-led replacement Crew-7 arrived at the space station on August 27, 2023.
Adnan Al Rais, Mission Manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, MBRSC, said: “The cardio breath study is critical to our understanding of long-term space travel and how different activities impact the crew aboard the ISS.
“This partnership with CSA, the North Dakota and Simon Fraser universities has fortified our knowledge of the dynamics of cardiovascular and respiratory functions in space and how the body adapts to microgravity. We look forward to studying this further as it contributes to the future of safer space travel,” Al Rais concluded.
Last Updated on 9 months by Arnold Pinto
