Experts think 'Wall of Death' on moon may keep astronauts fit in low gravity

You might have seen the Wall of Death — circular walls driven around by daredevils on motorbikes — at carnivals but researchers at the University of Milan believe that it may help keep astronauts fit in on the moon.

According to lead researcher Alberto Minetti, "low gravity deconditions many important body functions, resulting in muscle mass loss, bone density loss, cardio-vascular efficacy impairment, [and] neural control deconditioning."

Currently, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) use resistance machines to simulate weight.

However, as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) intensifies its Artemis missions to send humans to the moon, the hunt is on for a better solution.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, scientists at the University of Milan have found that a daily jog around the scarily-named wall can generate enough artificial gravity to keep bones and muscles healthy.

How does Wall of Death help astronauts' fitness?

In a study to test whether astronauts could exercise on the moon in a manner similar to when they’re on Earth, they used a rented Wall of Death and elastic bands to stimulate the moon’s gravity.

Participants were able to start running with no assistance in just five to eight tries and run at speeds up to 14.4 miles per hour for a couple of laps.

The research published in Royal Society Open Science journal found that each step on the wall generated an impact equivalent to a slow run or quick jog back on Earth.

It also prevented the body from reabsorbing calcium from bones, keeping them from growing weak.

Dr Minetti recommends running for just two to three minutes every 12 hours should be enough to remedy any deterioration.

However, the researchers have also pointed out that building a massive centrifuge on the moon would be far too costly.