The Polaris Dawn mission, which took off from Florida on the 10th of September, will use Hytro’s Blood Flow Restriction wearables to conduct research into how BFR can boost astronaut health by maintaining muscle and bone health in zero gravity.
LONDON, 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Hytro, known for producing recovery and strength products for elite athletes, will now be used for astronauts. In an exciting development, Hytro, the world's first wearable Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) device, collaborated with scientists from SpaceX, NASA, Sheffield Hallam University, and Labfront to conduct research on the recently launched Polaris Dawn space mission. The research aims to examine how BFR affects blood flow in zero gravity to help maintain astronauts' bone and muscle health.
Hytro has gained popularity within the professional sports industry, used by over 150 teams worldwide across the Premier League, Premiership Rugby, NFL, NBA, NHL, and by individual athletes across F1, boxing, athletics, and tennis. While they have impressive credentials on Earth, this research marks the first time a BFR product will be used in space.
Working with SpaceX’s research team, Hytro was able to quickly design a robust study and expedited it to be performed on the first planned mission of the Polaris Program, Polaris Dawn, in under six months.
There has been interest in BFR technology for improving exercise effectiveness to maintain muscle and bone health in zero gravity for years. While various researchers have investigated pneumatic BFR devices, their need for expert supervision and potential fire risk in high-oxygen environments prevented their use in space.
Hytro integrated their battery-free BFR technology into clothing, offering a method for astronauts to keep their muscles active safely. This innovation is now part of a long-term study to explore how this popular product among athletes can be used effectively in space to combat the effects of zero gravity on the body.
Blood Flow Restriction, or BFR, works by tightening a strap around the top of the arms or legs to lock blood in the muscles while performing light exercise or recovery routines. This helps muscles get stronger and recover faster. In zero gravity, where there is no resistance to everyday movement provided by gravity, this is essential for maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
Polaris Dawn launched from Florida on the 10th September 2024, with the crew planning to spend up to five days in orbit to work towards multiple research objectives.
Raj Thiruchelvarajah, CEO and Co-Founder of Hytro, said: “Hytro has been used by the best athletes on the planet, and will soon be used by the best astronauts off it. The implications for Hytro are profound, opening unprecedented research opportunities and accelerating our growth in both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial markets. It signifies our commitment to innovation and positions us at the forefront of advancements in Blood Flow Restriction. This is a monumental achievement for our team and a major milestone in our mission to enhance human health and performance through BFR technology. We look forward to the ground-breaking developments ahead.”
Dr Warren Bradley, Founder and Head of Elite Performance at Hytro commented, "Although the benefits of BFR for astronaut health and space travel have long been considered by scientists, never did I expect to have Hytro invited into space. The premise is simple – BFR reduces bone and muscle losses (atrophy) on Earth, which should apply in Zero G where tissue losses are guaranteed. However, BFR technologies have been unsuitable for use in space due to safety concerns around the use of digital tech in a highly combustible environment. At Hytro, we have patented the world’s only pressure-validated analogue (non-digital) BFR products, allowing astronauts to use BFR in space. The research opportunities this unlocks are truly remarkable.”
Dr Joe Handsaker, Chief Innovation Officer at Hytro added “It’s an honour to explore how BFR can improve the health of humans in space. This selection signals the quality and safety of our products. We are embarking on a pioneering research program to understand how BFR affects blood flow in space. While we understand the mechanisms and benefits of BFR on Earth, it’s not been possible to study its effects in zero gravity, where human physiology completely changes.”
This exciting development highlights Hytro's continued dedication to pioneering industry-leading research on how Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) can enhance health and performance. By exploring diverse applications in various settings, whether for individuals or groups, and without the need for supervision, Hytro aims to push the boundaries of human health and well-being.
Shop the Hytro BFR wearables now.
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