NASA Space Station Science Officer Performs 'FOOT' Work

Expedition 11 NASA Science Officer John Phillips conducted the first session of the Foot/Ground Reaction Forces during Spaceflight, or FOOT experiment. FOOT investigates the differences between use of the body’s lower extremities on Earth and in space, as well as changes in the musculoskeletal system during spaceflight. Without appropriate countermeasures, astronauts traveling in space can lose as much bone mineral in the lower part of the body in one month as a typical post-menopausal woman loses in an entire year. Muscle strength also can be lost rapidly during spaceflight.