The book provides fundamental new insights in the structure and function of the healthy NeuroMuscular system. Recent findings suggest that the musculoskeletal system that supports movement control on Earth is controlled by unique principles of structural, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Mechanical loading by working against normal gravity helps to support principal structures in bone, muscle and associated subcellular scaffold components. Disuse or immobilization of the body in bed rest on Earth or in microgravity in Space result in considerable loss of bone, muscle and force with downregulation of neuromuscular activity resulting in impaired performance control. The goal is to develop exercise prescriptions to maintain postural control in normal life, aging and rehabilitation on Earth as well as for an adequate human performance management in Space.

Provides an overview on structure and function of the NeuroMuscular system Discusses in detail the mechanisms of subcellular communication over neuromuscular junctions Methods to counteract loss of neuromuscular activity in space and during the ageing process are discussed Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dieter Blottner is Professor in Anatomy at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), CC02, Vegetative Anatomy, and Head of the Research Group Neuromuscular System at the Berlin Center of Space Medicine (ZWMB, www.charite-in-space.de), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. dieter.blottner@charite.de

Dr. Michele Salanova (Ph.D.) is Associate Research Scientist in the Group Neuromuscular System at the Berlin Center of Space Medicine (ZWMB, , www.charite-in-space.de), Vegetative Anatomy (CCO2), Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. Is principal investigator (PI) and co-principal investigator (CO-PI) of several NASA and ESA selected projects. michele.salanova@charite.de

Inhalt

General Introduction.- Skeletal Muscle.- Neuromuscular System.- Physical Countermeasure in Space: Efforts in Vain?