Resistance Intravehicular Activity Clothing for Microgravity// MFA Thesis
MFA Thesis By Rova Cigdem Guney Yilmaz
This research responds to critical limitations in existing intravehicular activity (IVA) clothing and countermeasure suits used in spaceflight. Everyday garments worn in microgravity are largely adapted from Earth-based apparel, offering limited functionality, adaptability, or aesthetic consideration for life in space. In contrast, current countermeasure suits—while intended to address muscle atrophy—are often uncomfortable, restrictive, and poorly suited for continuous wear, with limited ability to target specific muscle groups during daily activities.
To address these gaps, this project proposes a new paradigm for resistance IVA clothing centered on targeted muscle activation and intentional design placement. Rather than relying on bulky or task-specific exercise garments, the research explores how resistance elements can be seamlessly integrated into comfortable, aesthetically considered clothing that supports natural body movements in microgravity. The goal is to enable effective muscle engagement during routine onboard activities, reducing reliance on dedicated exercise time and helping astronauts combat muscle atrophy more efficiently through everyday wear.