GREAT FOOD, NO ATMOSPHERE: a Review of the Physiology and Nutritional Requirements Associated with Spacewalks
£5.00
L. E. Church et al. (2021), JBIS, 74, pp.107-112
Refcode: 2021.74.107
Abstract:
The spaceflight environment and physical demands of EVA cause physiological and metabolic changes in humans; this review combines physiological findings with nutritional studies in EVA analogues to make recommendations for astronauts scheduled for and returning from EVAs. Papers from PubMed and Google Scholar were evaluated (n=88). Papers were excluded on grounds of non-human studies and environments classed as space analogues not related to EVA. Energy demands increase during orbital spaceflight and increase further during EVA. In elite endurance athletes, a mixture of glucose and fructose is used in gels. Beetroot-based gels could be included inside suits for sustenance, as these show lower risk of gastrointestinal upset than traditional supplement gels. A combination of non-caffeinated energy drink and water should be available for astronauts during EVA. There should also be provision of gels or a similar product containing appropriate sodium levels to maintain hydration, but not so much as to hyperhydrate through renal water reabsorption. It is also suggested that short breaks be built into the schedule of EVAs for these gels to be consumed, as it is speculated that the reason for low uptake of in-suit sustenance is the lack of time available for consumption.
