Lift Off! with Dr Kiera Ward

Dr Kiera Ward was invited to speak at ‘Lift Off: Unlocking Space Sector Opportunities for the South West’, hosted by Tech Industry Alliance and MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory. Kiera spoke about how research on gravitational deprivation such as spaceflight, head-down tilt bed rest, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, and ageing can be translated to improve lifelong health and functionality in the general population and in workplace environments with EduFIT.

Kiera’s 5 key messages were:

1. Reduced gravity exposure (from microgravity, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, immobilisation, or ageing) leads to deleterious changes in physical health and metabolic health.

2. These changes can negatively affect functionality, independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

3. Increasing physical activity and exercise and reducing sedentary time is important for mitigating the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, bone mass and strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as preventing declines in cardiometabolic health, both in space and on Earth.

4. Promoting evidence-based lifestyle medicine (physical activity, exercise, nutrition, and sleep) in the workplace supports staff health and wellbeing, enhances team morale and engagement, and drives productivity and innovation.

5. At the heart of every thriving Irish business is a healthy workforce!

Well done Kiera!! We are very proud of you .