Gaby
For many busy individuals, lounging in bed while binge-watching shows or reading is an enticing prospect. Now, the European Space Agency (ESA) is sweetening the deal by offering €5,000 for this privilege.
In a groundbreaking study on dry immersion, 10 volunteers will spend 10 days in water beds. The experiment will only include men, as reported by the Daily Mail.
An Interesting and Important Study
The experiment, dubbed Vivaldi III, will be conducted at the Medes Space Clinic at the University Hospital of Toulouse in France. Vivaldi III is the third and final phase of research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of how microgravity affects the human body.
Overall, the volunteers will spend 21 days at the clinic. During the first five days, they will undergo thorough examinations. For the next 10 days, participants will lie in containers filled with water, covered by a waterproof fabric. This setup will keep the men dry while ensuring they are evenly immersed in water.
The following five days will be dedicated to examinations and recovery for the volunteers. One additional day will be needed for a follow-up visit to the clinic.
“By immersing their bodies in water while keeping their arms and heads above it, participants will experience a sensation similar to floating without physical support—something akin to what astronauts feel aboard the International Space Station,” ESA explained.
During meals, the men will use a flotation board and a neck pillow. Participants are allowed to use their phones, including making video calls, and can receive visitors. However, they will not be permitted to go outside. A rather intimate detail: they will be transported to the restroom on a stretcher.
“Participants are involved in a wide range of medical experiments and scientific studies to help researchers understand how space affects the human body. The ‘dry’ water alleviates weight from the body, creating conditions similar to microgravity,” ESA representatives stated.
“In microgravity, astronauts experience a host of changes due to the absence of gravity: they lose muscle and bone density, their eye shape may change, and fluids shift toward the brain,” the researchers added. They also hope that the results of the experiment will aid in developing new treatment methods for patients who are bedridden for extended periods, the elderly, and those with musculoskeletal issues.
Participant Requirements
A potential participant in the experiment must meet specific criteria. He should be a healthy man aged 20-40, a non-smoker with a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 26 kg/m². His height should be between 165-180 cm. He should engage in regular physical activity and be in good physical shape, without allergies or dietary restrictions.
