NASA Series Part 3
Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) Team
Part 2 of 2: In-Flight and Post-Flight
This episode continues last week's conversation, so if you missed it we highly encourage you to go back and start there. We have NASA's Astronaut Strength Conditioning and Rehabilitation (ASCR) team joining us, including Corey Twine (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Danielle Anderson (Physical Therapist), Bruce Nieschwitz (Athletic Trainer), and Christ Keeler (Athletic Trainer).
In the previous conversation, we focused on pre-flight preparation for astronauts and we transitioned into the in-flight training they do to mitigate the effects of microgravity. This time we wrap up the in-flight conversation and transition into post-flight rehabilitation.
We discuss everything from how to do a dynamic warm-up in space to the potential for things like wearables and blood flow restriction training in space. Like lasting time, we learn a lot about the fascinating challenges of keeping humans healthy and fit in space.
NASA makes a huge amount of its information publicly available, here are a few for those of you who want to dive deeper into some of the topics we discussed:
NASA has a dedicated page to highlight technology spinoffs developed for spaceflight but now benefit those of us here on Earth. You can even find Bowflex on there!
The Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program (CLDP) is NASA's program to assist companies with developing commercial access to low Earth orbit.
Astronaut flight assignment process
EVA (extravehicular activity/spacewalk) spacesuit
Human adaptation to spaceflight (if you search “exercise,” you’ll find quite a few references to how exercise is used as a countermeasure in spaceflight)
ASCR Team
Corey Twine
Corey Twine is an ASCR Specialist at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) for KBR. Prior to this role, Corey served as a strength and conditioning coach for the Army Special Forces as a part of the POTFF contract at KBR. He also supported astronauts during the shuttle era, acting as the primary ASCR for several shuttle missions, including STS 114 "Return to Flight" in 2005. Since returning to KBR in 2018, Mr. Twine has worked extensively on projects spanning the design and implementation of mission-specific strength and conditioning programs for individuals in obscure environments.
Major Danielle Anderson
Major Danielle Anderson is a Physical Therapist currently assigned to Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She delivers a spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal care preparing and supporting both U.S. and International Astronauts for long-duration space flights aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, she provides consultation and management recommendations to Crew and Deputy Crew Flight Surgeons. She serves as the Air Force's liaison to the Military Musculoskeletal residency, a tri-service one-year Physical Therapy residency where she oversees admittance, regional instruction, and successful program completion of Air Force, Army, and Navy Physical Therapists.
Christi Keeler
Christi Keeler is an ASCR at NASA Johnson Space Center for KBR's Government Solutions U.S. Science and Space Business Unit. Prior to this role, she worked in several orthopedic settings and in organ and tissue procurement. Since joining KBR in 2022, Mrs. Keeler has worked extensively supporting the neuromuscular care program by evaluating, treating, and rehabilitating injuries for both U.S. and international astronauts for long-duration spaceflight aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Her role also includes servicing the crew by instructing mobility classes, completing functional fitness evaluations, and training on spaceflight Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED).
Bruce Nieschwitz
Bruce Nieschwitz is an ASCR for KBR at NASA-JSC. Bruce's primary role is to provide comprehensive strength and conditioning, physical medicine, and rehabilitation services for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight to active astronauts. Since Bruce began at KBR in 2006, he has served as the primary ASCR assigned to numerous shuttle and ISS missions. He also provides perspective, serving as a subject matter expert for designing and using exercise hardware for spaceflight. He is a board-certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer earning his B.S. from Kent State University and was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Mankato State University.
