Chinese taikonaut Jing Haipeng navigates around Tiangong-2 space lab by floating. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese taikonaut Chen Dong, a Xinhua correspondent, has written about their exercise and strength training routines on Nov. 7, their 20th day aboard Tiangong-2.
Dong wrote Entry 6 in the Space Journal, which was published by China Daily, which narrated what he and fellow taikonaut Jing Haipeng did to stay fit and strong in space.
According to Chen, exercising on board a spacecraft felt so much different compared to exercising on Earth. He said they did cable exercises for strength training every other day.
He added that these exercises can keep them strong since there are activities that are physically demanding such as moving some things to the return module in 15 days before their return journey.
Chen said the long-time flight has made them less fit and they need to exercise to maintain fitness. He said he tried a new feat using the cable equipment they use which is made of rubber band but he got entangled halfway.
Meanwhile, his fellow astronaut, Jing, has created a new training method for his legs and increased his exercises load.
Chen they walked for about three hours and ten minutes wearing their penguin space suits, which he said was what they were advised to wear while doing exercise because it would help maintain their muscle and body functions in the weightless environment of space.
He said part of the exercises includes cycling but since there is only one bike, they have to alternately use it. When one is cycling, the other person should do cable exercises.
According to Chen, they do cycling exercises for about half an hour and it takes a huge effort to do it, which feels like riding a bike in bed.
Expressing great joy, he said he felt good that it was the first for Chinese to run in space. He said, however, that it was not easy to make adjustments and get the full running position in the first two days.
It was only on the third day the Jing got it right, who was so excited about it that he ran for an hour and reported it back to Earth. He added that they would recommend a running duration of only half an hour.
He said that doing some stunt moves in space, such as floating and somersaults, is easy but some muscles that are seldom used on Earth are important to movement in space. He cited the upper arms which are often used to grab things and pull their bodies.
