During a recent video sent from the core module of China's space station Tianhe (Harmony of Heavens), an exercise bike attracted lots of attention from viewers.

China launched its seventh manned spaceflight Shenzhou XII, on June 17, with three astronauts aboard for a three-month mission, during which they require regular exercise.

On June 23, astronaut Nie Haisheng opened a package containing an exercise bike and assembled it in five minutes according to the instructions.

"During an extended period in the space station, astronauts undergo a series of adaptive changes, such as changes in the cardiovascular system, muscle atrophy and bone loss," said Qin Younian, head of the space program for Shanxi Orient Fitness and Health Industrial Co, which developed the bike.

"They need daily exercise time and intensity, and exercise equipment helps them maintain strong bodies and prevent cardiovascular dysfunction, bone calcium loss and bone and muscle atrophy."

The company started researching space fitness equipment in 2006, applying its technical and scientific research know-how, and in 2012 Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, became the first user of its bicycle ergometer in the Tiangong I space lab.

In subsequent years, the company developed other space fitness equipment, including a treadmill for daily exercise.

In 2017, the company invited Liu Wang and Zhang Xiaoguang, two astronauts who had joined space missions, and experts in fitness and aerospace issues to promote the development of space fitness equipment.

Based on their experience and professional perspectives, they advised on the appearance, materials and functions such equipment should have. The Shanxi Orient Fitness team then spent more than 500 days developing the exercise bike.

"As the only enterprise developing and producing aerospace fitness equipment in China, we are deeply aware of the heavy responsibility," said Hao Hushan, general manager of the company. "We will stick to the spirit of innovation, elaboration and persistence."

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Related Links
China Manned Space Agency
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Tiangong: astronauts are working on China's new space station - here's what to expect
Melbourne, Australia (The Coversation) Jul 07, 2021
Three astronauts on China's new space station have just performed the country's first space walk and are busy configuring the module for future crews. Named Tiangong ("heavenly palace"), the station is the Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA)'s signature project to develop China's ambitions for having humans in orbit around Earth for a long amount of time. In planning since the late 1990s, the Tiangong station's core module, Tianhe ("heavenly river" and the old Chinese name for the Milky Way), lau ... read more