It\u2019s Val Fajardo\u2019s dream that one day humans will make it to Mars. But first thing\u2019s first: let\u2019s ensure that astronauts going to the Moon will come back to Earth with their health intact.<\/p>\n
The Brock University Assistant Professor of Kinesiology is heading up a team that\u2019s investigating how to prevent space travellers from experiencing muscle loss and weakness, bone fragility and cognitive decline, which occur when spending time in space.<\/p>\n
But you don\u2019t have to be an astronaut to benefit from the team\u2019s findings, says Fajardo, Canada Research Chair in Tissue Plasticity and Remodelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overarching goal of this research is to generate new knowledge that will reduce the risks of human space flight to keep astronauts healthy in space, while also providing insight into new strategies that can be used to preserve health on Earth,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n