Jump for the Moon

On Earth, humans experience the effects of gravity pulling on the human body which applies a constant force. This constant force is essential for building the healthy, strong bones we need on Earth. The force can be increased, and bones can be made stronger by doing regular weight bearing physical activities such as jumping, walking, running, or dancing. Once in space, bones in the lower torso and legs are most affected by the reduced gravity environment. Astronaut crew members are provided with a harness for them to wear that straps them to the treadmills when the astronauts are exercising.

In this activity students will perform jump training with a rope to improve strength and endurance.

This resource is from the Mission X collection of activities which is an international educational challenge that focuses on health, science, fitness and nutrition, and encourages pupils to train like an astronaut. To find out more about Mission X, visit https://www.stem.org.uk/esero/primary/competitions-and-challenges/mission-x.