Staying in bed for science
14 December 2012
Two ‘pillownauts’ at MEDES in Toulouse, France enjoy a snack. During their 21-day session the volunteers have to eat all their meals in bed keeping one shoulder in contact with the bed at all times
The 12 volunteers are divided into three groups, a control group, a group that performs experimental exercise and a group that does exercise and takes nutritional supplements. Each pillownaut shares a room with a volunteer from a different group.
Bedrest studies can answer questions on how our bodies adapt to living in space and on how our bodies adapt to growing old. Many of the findings from bedrest studies apply directly to people on Earth.
Credits: CNES–Emmanuel Grimault, 2012