In a groundbreaking study, researchers have proposed an unconventional method to counteract the effects of low gravity on astronauts as they prepare for a return to the moon. The solution? Running on a "lunar Wall of Death." This radical approach involves astronauts running several times a day around a rented Wall of Death – a massive wooden cylinder used in gravity-defying motorcycle stunts.

The theory behind this idea is that running at high speeds on the wall would generate enough lateral force to combat the bone and muscle wasting experienced in the absence of normal gravity. Utilizing a 36-meter telescopic crane and bungee cords to simulate lunar gravity, researchers have shown the feasibility of this method.

Professor Alberto Minetti, a physiology expert from the University of Milan who collaborated on the study, expressed his astonishment that this concept had not been explored earlier. He hailed the potential convenience of using a lunar Wall of Death as a training tool on the moon, highlighting its advantages over methods such as building spinning moon bases.

The last time humans set foot on the moon was during the Apollo program in 1972. However, NASA and other space agencies are now gearing up for a return, with long-term missions planned in permanent habitats. The challenges posed by the hostile lunar environment range from ensuring a stable supply of air, food, and water, to providing protection against space radiation.

One major concern for prolonged space missions is the deterioration of bone and muscle mass, as well as the loss of fine nervous system control needed for coordinated movements. To tackle this issue, researchers have calculated that running at a speed of over 8mph in lunar gravity would be sufficient to maintain strength and coordination.

To test this theory, two researchers ran around a 10-meter-wide Wall of Death while attached to a bungee cord suspended from the crane. The reduced body weight emulated lunar gravity conditions. Combining these findings with treadmill data, the scientists concluded that running for a few minutes at the beginning and end of each day should generate enough artificial gravity to keep astronauts' bodies strong and their nervous systems intact.

Rather than transporting an actual Wall of Death to the moon, the researchers propose housing astronauts in circular habitats that would allow them to run around the interior walls as a form of exercise. This innovative approach to combatting deconditioning in reduced gravity has garnered support from experts such as Professor Maria Stokes from the University of Southampton, who emphasized the potential benefits of a horizontal running cylinder.

However, questions have been raised regarding the practicality of implementing such running tracks in the early lunar habitats, as pointed out by Professor Nick Caplan of Northumbria University, Newcastle. Caplan and his colleagues are exploring alternative exercise methods, including inflatable cuffs to compress limbs and restrict blood flow. These cuffs have shown promise in providing training benefits similar to higher intensity exercise, while utilizing lower intensities and durations.

As scientists continue to investigate innovative countermeasures to maintain astronaut health during space missions, the concept of a lunar Wall of Death presents an intriguing alternative for astronauts to stay fit and combat the effects of lunar gravity. With NASA's Artemis astronauts scheduled to fly around the moon next year and follow-up missions planned for as early as 2026, these research findings could prove to be crucial for the success of future lunar exploration endeavors.