Besides eating and sleeping, what do astronauts spend more time doing in space than anything else? It's exercise.
Exercise is the number one health priority in space, said Don Hagan, director of exercise physiology at Johnson Space Center. "No other activity except eating and sleeping is given that much priority. Two and a half hours each day are devoted to fitness."
Why is it so important for astronauts to exercise while they're in space? If astronauts don't exercise, their bodies start losing bone and muscle. Bone and muscle loss mean decreased size and strength and can reduce an astronaut's ability to do work because it makes them weak.
As part of our Year 5 Topic 'To Infinity and Beyond', the children designed exercise equipment for astronauts. Their creations worked out various parts of the human body. Amazing collaboration and creativity were on display as the whole of Y5 got together in the gym to test out their equipment. Children recorded their creations in action and then used iMovie to make workout routines for astronauts.
By Steve O'Leary
Year 5 Group Leader
Year 5 Kookaburras Teacher
