Medical Design and Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Supplies and Components Index
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • MedTech Resources
    • Medtech Events in 2025
    • The 2024 Medtech Big 100
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Subscribe to Print Magazine
    • DeviceTalks
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Educational Assets
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
    • Video
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Women in Medtech
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

NASA Built a Mini-Exercise Machine for Long, Cramped Space Missions

March 23, 2016 By Sam Brusco

You think you have trouble sticking to an exercise regimen—the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have to spend two hours a day exercising on a bicycle, treadmill, and the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), lest the long exposure to microgravity deteriorate their bones and muscles.

These pieces of exercise equipment work well for the (relatively) roomy environment of the ISS. But what about the long-term trips in more compact space vehicles, like the Orion Spacecraft, intended to make long journeys to both the moon and Mars?

To give astronauts the workout they need with so little space, NASA has recently developed the Miniature Exercise Device (MED-2). By way of small robotic actuators, the machine serves as an all-in-one exercise device that can provide both a motion and resistance workout in minimal space. The device is the beginning of NASA’s project to develop designs for second- and third-generation Counter Measure Systems (CMS) to combat the adverse effects of microgravity.

MED-2’s robotic actuator is part of a one degree of freedom system, and controls its load over many position and velocity conditions. The actuator will be tested under various velocities and positions in modes: including constant load, progressive loads, and non-linear loads.

After plugging MED-2 into the ISS’s AC inverter and Ethernet port, each crew member will operate the machine for 3 one-hour sessions. Data from both MED-2’s instruments and the crew member will be assessed to determine performance.

MED-2 flight shown with the rowing foot plate attachments (Tbar omitted in this image. Strap is not the flight strap). (Courtesy of NASA)

NASA also mentions that MED-2 has earthly applications: it could potentially offer easily adjustable resistance training for physical therapy. The use of a robotic actuator to allow resistance may permit personalized rehabilitation programs.

Related Articles Read More >

A photo of Highridge Medical CEO Rebecca Whitney.
Highridge Medical is betting on this spine tech
A photo of nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy used for medical devices such as stents, heart valves, catheters and orthopedics.
What is nitinol and where is it used?
These are the logos of Demetra Holdings and GetSet Surgical.
Demetra Holding acquires majority stake in Swiss-based GetSet Surgical
The most innovative medical devices of 2024
“mdo
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest medical device business news, application and technology trends.

DeviceTalks Weekly

See More >

MDO Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Subscribe to Medical Design & Outsourcing. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading medical design engineering magazine today.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
DeviceTalks

DeviceTalks is a conversation among medical technology leaders. It's events, podcasts, webinars and one-on-one exchanges of ideas & insights.

DeviceTalks

New MedTech Resource

Medical Tubing

MassDevice

Mass Device

The Medical Device Business Journal. MassDevice is the leading medical device news business journal telling the stories of the devices that save lives.

Visit Website
MDO ad
Medical Design and Outsourcing
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • MedTech100 Index
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World
  • R&D World
  • About Us/Contact
  • Advertise With Us
  • Subscribe to Print Magazine
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Listen to our Weekly Podcasts
  • Join our DeviceTalks Tuesdays Discussion

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media LLC. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Medical Design & Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Supplies and Components Index
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • MedTech Resources
    • Medtech Events in 2025
    • The 2024 Medtech Big 100
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Subscribe to Print Magazine
    • DeviceTalks
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Educational Assets
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
    • Video
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Women in Medtech
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe