Hytro’s BFR Wearables on Polaris Dawn Mission To Explore Muscle and Bone Health In Space

The Polaris Dawn mission, launched from Florida on September 10, 2024, marks an exciting milestone in space research. Onboard this mission, Hytro’s Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearables will be used to study how BFR technology can help astronauts maintain muscle and bone health in zero gravity. This innovative application of BFR is the first of its kind in space, highlighting Hytro’s expanding influence beyond its established use in professional sports.

Hytro is known for creating cutting-edge recovery and strength products used by more than 150 teams across the Premier League, NFL, NBA, and other professional sports leagues. Now, Hytro is making a leap from elite athletic performance to space exploration, collaborating with experts from SpaceX, NASA, Sheffield Hallam University, and Labfront to test their BFR technology in space. This research is part of the Polaris Dawn mission, which is the first in the planned Polaris Program. The mission aims to understand how BFR can improve astronaut health by combating the detrimental effects of zero gravity on the human body, particularly muscle atrophy and bone density loss.

Blood Flow Restriction technology works by applying a strap to the upper limbs, limiting blood flow to muscles during light exercise. This helps strengthen muscles more efficiently and speeds up recovery. In space, where zero gravity reduces the natural resistance to movement, astronauts face challenges in maintaining muscle and bone mass. BFR could be a key solution to keeping their bodies healthy during extended space missions.

BFR technology has been explored for years as a potential method to enhance the effectiveness of exercise in space. However, previous pneumatic BFR devices posed safety risks in the oxygen-rich environments of spacecraft, and they required expert supervision. Hytro has overcome these challenges by integrating its BFR technology into clothing that is battery-free and safe for use in space, providing astronauts with a simple, yet effective way to stay physically active. This technology is now being evaluated in a series of studies during the Polaris Dawn mission.

The research conducted in space will focus on how different levels of BFR affect blood flow, muscle health, and bone density in zero gravity. One study will use ultrasound probes and smartwatches to track how BFR influences blood flow in space and compare it to pre-launch data. Subsequent studies will explore how BFR can reduce fluid shifts to the head and simulate low-level physical activity that mimics the effects of walking on Earth.

Raj Thiruchelvarajah, CEO and Co-Founder of Hytro, expressed excitement about the company's role in this ground-breaking mission. He emphasized that Hytro’s technology, used by top athletes on Earth, now has the opportunity to improve astronaut health in space. According to him, this collaboration opens new research possibilities and accelerates Hytro’s growth in both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial markets.

Dr. Warren Bradley, Founder and Head of Elite Performance at Hytro, shared his enthusiasm about the potential of BFR in space. He noted that while BFR has long been considered a way to counteract muscle and bone loss in space, earlier technologies were unsuitable for space travel due to safety concerns. Hytro's analog, pressure-validated BFR products solve this issue, allowing astronauts to benefit from BFR safely. Bradley believes that the research opportunities unlocked by this collaboration are remarkable and have far-reaching implications for both space travel and human health.

Dr. Joe Handsaker, Chief Innovation Officer at Hytro, highlighted the importance of this research for understanding how BFR affects blood flow and overall health in space. While the benefits of BFR on Earth are well-documented, zero gravity presents unique challenges that alter human physiology. The data collected during the Polaris Dawn mission will provide insights into how BFR can be adapted to maintain astronaut health in these conditions.

The involvement of Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and School of Sport and Physical Activity is another key element of this project. Dr. Tom Maden-Wilkinson, an expert in musculoskeletal health at Sheffield Hallam, emphasized the importance of maintaining muscle and bone health for astronauts, who face unique physical challenges in space. The university’s collaboration with Hytro allows for further research into how BFR can support both space travelers and those on Earth, including clinical populations and older adults.

As the Polaris Dawn mission continues its work, the potential for Hytro’s BFR technology in space opens up new horizons. This development is a testament to Hytro's commitment to innovation and the advancement of human health, whether in space or on Earth. By pushing the boundaries of what BFR can achieve, Hytro is helping to shape the future of health and performance in the most extreme environments imaginable.