Exercise in Space : A Holistic Approach for the Benefit of Human Health on Earth

This volume of the Series SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences summarizes the newest finding in the field of mental health and physiological exercise in Space. Currently two major challenges are impacting human health in the western societies, one being a move towards a sedentary society, the second one being longevity. Both have a considerable impact on physical as well as mental health. Space life science research helps to understand the underlying degenerative physiological and neuro-psychological processes as living in space, living in microgravity can be regarded as a time lapse of the sedentary and aging human being. Translational research of the past years has shown that exercise can be regarded as a key factor to counteract physical and mental deconditioning in space, guaranteeing a holistic approach to health and a benefit to the socio-demographic changes of our society.

The book is written for scientists in biomedicine, more specific in aging research, sports physiology and neurosciences.

Prof. Stefan Schneider is Director of the “Zentrum für Integrative Physiology im Weltraum (ZiP)” – Center for Health and Integrative Physiology in Space. Cologne, Germany.

Dr. Vera Abeln is scientist and lecturer at the German Sport University Cologne at the Institute of Movement and Neurosciences with special interest in the effect of training interventions and active lifestyle on brain health.

Prof. Otmar Leo Bock is head of the Institute of Physiology and Anatomy at the German Sport University, Cologne, Germany.

Dr. Uwe Drescher is research associate at German Sport University Cologne, Institute of Physiology and Anatomy, Germany. He is involved in several projects dealing with exercise physiology with focus on cardio dynamic and pulmonary regulations as well as mathematical-physiological modelling. Dr. Drescher is member of the “Zentrum für Integrative Physiology im Weltraum (ZiP)” – Center for Health and Integrative Physiology in Space. Cologne, Germany.

Dr. sportwiss. Uwe Hoffmann is senior researcher at German Sport University Cologne, Institute of Physiology and Anatomy, Germany. Since 1985 he is involved in Space physiology and assigned primary and co-investigator in several projects focused on exercise and training in Space and other extreme environments. His expertise are spiroergometric methods to evaluate metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular control. Dr. Hoffmann is member of the “Zentrum für Integrative Physiology im Weltraum (ZiP)” – Center for Health and Integrative Physiology in Space. Cologne, Germany

Prof. Jens Kleinert is Head of the Institute of Psychology and Vice President for Learning and Teaching at the German Sport University Cologne. Central issues of his lab group are stress, emotion, motivation, and group processes in relation to exercise and sport.

Mrs. Jessica Koschate is research associate at the Institute of Physiology and Anatomy of the German Sport University in Cologne. Her research interests are related to the influences of changes in gravity, age and health status on cardiorespiratory regulations. Mrs. Koschate is member of the “Zentrum für Integrative Physiology im Weltraum (ZiP)” – Center for Health and Integrative Physiology in Space. Cologne, Germany

Dr. Anna-Maria Liphardt is a research scientist at the Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology - of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), and at the Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics at the German Sport University Cologne. Dr. Liphardt is studying the influence of immobilization, microgravity and physical activity on cartilage and bone health in healthy  subjects and patient cohorts.

PD Dr. Anja Niehoff is Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Germany and Head of the Cologne Center for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics atthe Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany.

Dr. Fabian Pels is a research assistant at the Institute of Psychology at the German Sport University Cologne. His research focus is on group processes in relation to exercise and sport.

Assist. Prof. Tobias Vogt is Head of Institute in the Institute of Professional Sport Education and Sport Qualifications at the German Sport University. Cologne, Germany.