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Bone-Metabolic Functions and Modulators pp 217–235Cite as

Bone Loss in Space Flight and Countermeasures

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Part of the book series: Topics in Bone Biology ((TBB,volume 7))

Abstract

Before manned space flight, it was known that immobilization of patients for extended periods, such as for fracture repair to treat the paralysis of polio myelitis or paraplegia, often resulted in weakened and atrophic bones. Although the problems related to reduced gravitational forces on the musculoskeletal system were recognized, the full extent of the changes was not known. Therefore, studies were planned and conducted by the emerging American and Soviet space programs to determine the extent of, and potential harm associated with, bone loss that might occur during space flight.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Space Life Sciences, Universities space Research Association, 3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX, 77058, USA

    Adrian D. LeBlanc Ph.D.

  2. Bone and Mineral Lab, Wyle Laboratories, 1290 Hercules, Suite 120, Houston, TX, 77058, USA

    Elisabeth R. Spector B.S.

  3. Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer, NASA, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC, 20546, USA

    Victor S. Schneider M.D.

Authors
  1. Adrian D. LeBlanc Ph.D.
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  2. Elisabeth R. Spector B.S.
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  3. Victor S. Schneider M.D.
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Correspondence to Adrian D. LeBlanc Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health Center, Dept. Pharmacology, University of Connecticut, Farmington Ave. 263, Farmington, 06030-6125, Connecticut, USA

    Felix Bronner

  2. , Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biol, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, 77005, Texas, USA

    Mary C. Farach-Carson

  3. , General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom

    Helmtrud I. Roach

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag London

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LeBlanc, A.D., Spector, E.R., Schneider, V.S. (2012). Bone Loss in Space Flight and Countermeasures. In: Bronner, F., Farach-Carson, M., Roach, H. (eds) Bone-Metabolic Functions and Modulators. Topics in Bone Biology, vol 7. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2745-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2745-1_13

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