Astronaut Strength Conditioning and Rehabilitation with NASA Human Performance

Welcome to episode 2 of our NASA series! This is the first of two conversations we had with the Astronaut Strength Conditioning and Rehabilitation (ASCR - pronounced "acer") team. Much like the interdisciplinary human performance teams supporting military organizations, we'll hear from a Strength and Conditioning Coach (Corey), two Athletic Trainers (Bruce and Christi), and a Physical Therapist (Danielle). And it doesn't stop there, you'll hear how they collaborate with a broad range of professionals to integrate human performance into spaceflight.

The challenges these folks are faced with on a daily basis are incredible. For example, no one can be using the exercise equipment when the space station needs to change altitude, or when a spacecraft is docking with the station. They're also responsible for teaching the astronauts to use the exercise equipment in zero gravity, including a resistance training machine that can be loaded up to 600lbs.

Bios for each of the team members are below, but first, here are some links to resources we mentioned during the conversation:

Astronaut flight assignment process

EVA (extravehicular activity/spacewalk) spacesuit

Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL)

Human adaptation to spaceflight (if you search “exercise,” you’ll find quite a few references to how exercise is used as a countermeasure in spaceflight)

Corey Twine is an ASCR Specialist at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) for KBR. Prior to this role, Corey served as a strength and conditioning coach for the Army Special Forces as a part of the POTFF contract at KBR. He also supported astronauts during the shuttle era, acting as the primary ASCR for several shuttle missions, including STS 114 "Return to Flight" in 2005. Since returning to KBR in 2018, Mr. Twine has worked extensively on projects spanning the design and implementation of mission-specific strength and conditioning programs for individuals in obscure environments.

Major Danielle Anderson is a Physical Therapist currently assigned to Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She delivers a spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal care preparing and supporting both U.S and International Astronauts for long duration space flight aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, she provides consultation and management recommendations to Crew and Deputy Crew Flight Surgeons. She serves as the Air Force's liaison to the Military Musculoskeletal residency, a tri-service one-year Physical Therapy residency, where she oversees admittance, regional instruction, and successful program completion of Air Force, Army and Navy Physical Therapists.

Christi Keeler is an ASCR at NASA Johnson Space Center for KBR's Government Solutions U.S. Science and Space Business Unit. Prior to this role, she worked in several orthopedic settings and in organ and tissue procurement. Since joining KBR in 2022, Mrs. Keeler has worked extensively supporting the neuromuscular care program by evaluating, treating and rehabilitating injuries for both U.S. and international astronauts for long duration spaceflight aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Her role also includes servicing crew by instructing mobility classes, completing functional fitness evaluations, and training on spaceflight Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED).

Bruce Nieschwitz is an ASCR for KBR at NASA-JSC. Bruce's primary role is to provide comprehensive strength and conditioning, physical medicine, and rehabilitation services for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight to active astronauts. Since Bruce began at KBR in 2006, he has served as the primary ASCR assigned to numerous shuttle and ISS missions. He also provides perspective, serving as a subject matter expert for designing and using exercise hardware for spaceflight. He is a board-certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer earning his B.S. from Kent State University and was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Mankato State University.