Human Gyroscope / G Force

G Force

Rationale of the Aerotrim

The G-force is an exercise machine used to improve equilibrioception, or sense of balance. Astronauts, pilots and the blind would find this especially helpful. Astronauts experience sensations of dizziness and disorientation during their first few days in the microgravity environment of space. Upon returning to Earth after prolonged exposure to microgravity, astronauts frequently have difficulty standing and walking upright, stabilizing their gaze, and walking or turning corners in a coordinated manner. An astronaut's sense of balance and body orientation takes time to re-adapt to Earth-normal conditions.

Physics behind the movement

The Aerotrim is also a good device for honing muscular activity; core, arm, shoulder and hip movement are required to create torque about the system in order to spin around. There is a ring around the person’s hip, which has space to allow for movement and shift his weight generate torque. 

The balancing system in the ears 

The system for sensing balance, acceleration and rotation are called the vestibular system, located in the ears, , and is comprised of three semicircular canals connected to two membranous sacs called the saccule and utricle. The saccule and utricle are often referred to as the otolith organs. They allow us to sense the direction and speed of angular acceleration.

The Aerotrim puts the vestibular system under stress, the angular acceleration of being rotated at a high speed creates a similar sensation when put under a roller coaster; when swerved to the right, buckling upwards, or accelerating downwards, they create a disorienting, exhilarating experience. These similar modes of angular acceleration are felt when humans are accelerating in a rocket, or manoeuvring their ship in space. 

 Feedback from the vestibular system is interpreted by the brain as position and motion. Our vestibular system enables us to determine body orientation, senses the direction and speed at which we are moving, and helps us maintain balance.

Pilots rely heavily in their vestibular sense for navigating their aircraft. However, in flight and in space, our vestibular system, which is designed to work on the ground in a 1g environment, often provides us with erroneous or disorienting information.

By training their vestibular systems to accomodate higher-stress circumstances, pilots and astronauts, theoretically, are more apt in maintaining composure when they experience free fall. They are also less prone to dizziness even undergoing intense spinning.