‘Lifting a pencil will feel like a workout’: Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth; here’s how their bodies may react to gravity | Health News

After spending over eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), veteran astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing for her return to Earth. But her journey is far from over. The real challenge begins once she re-enters Earth’s gravitational pull, as her body will struggle to readjust to the weight and pressure it has left behind.
Astronaut Butch Wilmore, who is also returning with Williams, emphasised the physical toll of re-entering gravity. In an interview with CNN, he explained, “Gravity is really tough, and that’s what we feel when we get back. Gravity starts pulling everything to the lower extremities; fluids will be pulled down, and even lifting a pencil will feel like a workout.”
But what exactly happens to the human body after prolonged exposure to microgravity, and how do astronauts recover?
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The physical impact of returning to gravity
1. Muscle Atrophy and Weakness
According to Dr Narander Singhla, Lead Consultant – Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, one of the most immediate effects of microgravity is muscle atrophy. Without the need to counteract gravity, muscles weaken over time, particularly in the legs, back, and core. As a result, everyday tasks like standing or walking become exhausting, requiring weeks of rehabilitation.
On August 24, NASA decided to bring back the Starliner under remote control and left Williams and Wilmore aboard the station for an extended stay. (NASA/Screenshot)
2. Bone Density Loss
Astronauts experience bone loss due to a lack of mechanical stress in space. Studies show that astronauts can lose up to 1-2% of their bone mass per month in microgravity, especially in weight-bearing bones like the hips, spine, and legs. This increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures after returning to Earth.
3. Cardiovascular Challenges
Like any muscle, the heart adapts to weightlessness reducing its workload. With less resance needed to pump blood, the heart may shrink slightly. Upon return to Earth, this can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. NASA’s studies show that astronauts often experience difficulty standing for prolonged periods after landing.
4. Vision Problems
Many astronauts report vision impairment after extended missions. This is due to fluid shifts in the body, which increase pressure inside the skull and flatten the eye’s shape. Some astronauts experience blurred vision, double vision, or lasting changes in eyesight.Story continues below this ad
5. Fluid Redribution and Swelling
In microgravity, bodily fluids float toward the upper body, causing puffy faces and head congestion. When astronauts return to Earth, gravity pulls these fluids back down, leading to swelling in the legs and feet while also causing dizziness.
With upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars, understanding how the human body reacts to long-duration space travel is crucial. Scients are continuously studying astronauts like Sunita to develop new ways to mitigate spaceflight health risks. Whether it’s artificial gravity solutions or advanced rehabilitation techniques, these findings will shape the future of human space exploration.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.