| The adult human body has 206 bones. An infant | | | | huge problem for the duration these astronauts |
| may have from 300-350 bones at birth. Some of | | | | could remain in space. |
| these fuse together as the infant grows. The | | | | The Russian space program used a technology |
| human skeleton forms the foundation for the | | | | called whole body vibration training (or vibration |
| structure and frame of our bodies. Together with | | | | therapy) as a way to simulate weight bearing |
| the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, these | | | | loads for their cosmonauts, before, during and |
| 206 bones allow us to live, move and have our | | | | after trips in outer space. |
| being on this planet. | | | | Whole body vibration exercise is a way to mimic |
| Sadly, as most Americans age, their bone density | | | | gravity where no gravity exists, thus helping the |
| decreases, and mobility is greatly reduced and | | | | cosmonauts to keep their bone mineral density |
| sometimes even lost (as in the case of people | | | | high and their muscles strong. |
| bound to a wheelchair). The quality of life is very | | | | Partly because of this technology the Russians |
| limited if your mobility is limited. If you are reading | | | | shattered all the records for living the longest in |
| this article and you still enjoy good health and | | | | space. Also instead of coming back from outer |
| mobility, then realize that the information here | | | | space on stretchers, the astronauts returned as |
| could alter your future for the better. Instead of | | | | strong as when they left. |
| decline, your body's bones, muscles, tendons, | | | | Have you ever wondered why the Russians were |
| ligaments and joint can remain strong, flexible and | | | | so dominant in the Olympics in the 1980's. That's |
| fully functional up to 100 years and beyond. | | | | right, their athletes used this secret form of |
| ASIDE: According to JAMA (July 25, 2007 edition) | | | | exercise that the rest of the world (at the time) |
| more than 30,000 hip fractures occur every year. | | | | did not know about. |
| And it is these hip fractures that are one of the | | | | So I think you realize by now that the author of |
| main reasons why people end up in a nursing | | | | this article is not going to list 206 reasons you |
| home. Whole body vibration exercise is perfect | | | | need whole body vibration, as naming all the |
| for people who want a serious solution for | | | | bones in the body is something he has long |
| avoiding falls, brittle bones and hip fractures (as | | | | forgotten since college. But the author does |
| we will see next). | | | | remember the femur is the longest bone, the |
| So now we come to the connection between the | | | | bones in the inner ear are the smallest and half |
| Russian space program and increased strength in | | | | our bones are in our hands and feet. |
| bones and muscles. The Russians realized that out | | | | These bones along with muscles, joints, tendons |
| in space away from the Earth's gravity, | | | | and ligaments give your body mobility, motion, |
| cosmonauts experienced extremely accelerated | | | | movement and animation. I cannot give you a |
| bone and muscle loss (along with other | | | | better reason to invest in and start using this |
| complications like blood clots). This presented a | | | | technology right away. |