Gravity, microgravity, and artificial gravity: physiological effects, implementation, and applications

Gravity, the force that structures the cosmos, also shapes human physiology. It influences skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems, sustaining balance, blood circulation, and functional capacity. Unlike other senses, the brain lacks a dedicated gravity-sensing region and instead relies on a distributed vestibular network, graviception, to interpret gravitational cues. On Earth, gravity-driven blood pooling in the legs triggers compensatory responses that preserve cerebral perfusion. In microgravity, these mechanisms are altered, leading to fluid shifts toward the head, visual disturbances, cerebral changes, and increased thrombosis risk. Prolonged spaceflight induces muscle atrophy, bone demineralization, cardiovascular deconditioning, and orthostatic intolerance upon return to Earth. Whether these changes represent “adaptation” or “deconditioning” remains debated, but the outcomes resemble the physiological decline of frailty and aging. Earth-based analogs, including bed rest, dry immersion, and parabolic flights, reproduce many of these effects, linking gravitational unloading to postural instability, orthostatic hypotension, falls, and fractures. Such complications often fuel a vicious cycle of immobility and functional decline, central to both chronic illness and geriatric care. Viewing spaceflight as a model of accelerated aging offers new opportunities for clinical innovation. Research in altered gravity environments provides insights into countermeasures that preserve muscle mass, cardiovascular stability, and postural control. Strategies such as targeted exercise, optimized fluid management, and even hypergravity interventions may not only safeguard astronaut health but also translate into novel therapies for older adults. By bridging space medicine and aging research, these approaches can help mitigate frailty, reduce health care burdens, and enhance quality of life.