How can acoustic myography and SOFI help NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP)

How can acoustic myography and SOFI help NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) help identify research opportunities that will advance human health and performance during sustained human exploration on the Moon.

As NASA transitions from short-duration lunar missions to the development of a future Moon Base, new opportunities will emerge to better understand how living and working in partial gravity affects astronaut physiology, psychology, operational performance, and long-term health. HRP is seeking relevant ideas, emerging scientific questions, and technology needs that will help guide future research planning and reduce risks to astronauts during long-duration lunar missions and future explorations of Mars.

Acoustic myography (AMG) via the SOFi (or SOFi M²) system offers a practical, non-invasive way to quantify active muscle mechanics—spatial summation (number of active fibers), organization/efficiency/coordination of recruitment, temporal/frequency characteristics of contractions, and inter-muscle balance—during real movement.

Unlike surface EMG (which records electrical activity and can be affected by skin preparation, cross-talk, or signal dropout), AMG records the low-frequency pressure/sound waves generated by contracting muscle itself. Modern piezoelectric sensors with hydrogel or acoustic gel contact enable quick placement, wireless transmission to a tablet/phone app, real-time visualization, and scored reports (e.g., S/O/F parameters and balance metrics). The system is portable, requires minimal setup time, and has been applied to dynamic tasks, fatigue assessment, rehabilitation tracking, aging-related changes in muscle control, and neuromuscular conditions.

NASA’s HRP risks for sustained lunar surface operations and Moon Base development include muscle atrophy/strength loss, altered recruitment and coordination under partial gravity (~0.16 g), sensorimotor decrements, performance impairments during EVAs or habitat work, and the need for effective, resource-efficient countermeasures. Existing tools (ultrasound for size, Myoton-type devices for passive tone/stiffness/elasticity) address complementary aspects; AMG adds direct insight into how muscles are working under load during actual tasks.

Short-duration lunar surface missions (~1 week to 1 month)

Key questions addressable with AMG/SOFi data from astronauts living and working on the surface:

How does partial gravity alter fiber recruitment strategies (spatial summation), CNS organization/efficiency of activation, and contraction frequency/timing during locomotion, load carriage, tool use, or EVA-like tasks compared with 1 g baselines or microgravity?
Do compensatory patterns or left-right/antagonist imbalances emerge early, and how quickly do they appear under reduced loading?
How does muscle efficiency and fatigue onset change during repeated operational tasks or prescribed exercise in 1/6 g, and do these predict later strength or coordination decrements?
Are there gravity-transition effects (Earth → transit → lunar surface) on active muscle control that differ from pure unloading?

These data would characterize early adaptations before overt atrophy dominates and inform whether current exercise protocols translate effectively to partial gravity.

Early Moon Base development missions – data collection and operational impact

Valuable data include longitudinal SOFi scores (S/O/F parameters, balance, efficiency) collected:

During or immediately after exercise sessions (to evaluate countermeasure efficacy in real time).
During representative operational tasks, habitat work, or short EVAs (to link muscle function to performance).
Pre-/post-activity or at regular intervals for tracking progressive changes.

Acquisition is low-burden: sensor placement takes minutes with hydrogel patches; the system is wireless and portable; measurements can occur during nominal operations with little or no dedicated “science time” beyond initial setup and occasional verification. Data can be logged locally or transmitted. This contributes directly to Human Health Countermeasures (HHC) risk characterization (muscle performance under partial g, effectiveness of resistive/plyometric/sensorimotor exercise) and to mitigation development (personalized feedback, early detection of inefficiency or imbalance that could elevate injury or task-failure risk). It also supports Human Factors and Behavioral Performance (HFBP) by providing objective metrics of coordination, workload-related fatigue, and functional capacity under suit constraints or operational stress.

Technologies and capabilities valuable at a Moon Base

Lightweight, wireless SOFi-type units (or evolved equivalents) for routine crew self- or peer-assessment of key muscle groups.
Integration options: sensors compatible with exercise hardware, brief wear during tasks, or potential suit/habitat interfaces for selected activities; real-time biofeedback displays for training efficiency.
Local analysis + downlink of scored reports for trend monitoring and ground support input into exercise prescriptions.
Complementary use with ultrasound (size) and passive mechanical measures (tone/stiffness) to give a fuller picture of muscle health without heavy hardware.

These would enhance risk characterization and allow iterative refinement of countermeasures with lower resource overhead than many laboratory-grade systems.

Uncrewed lunar surface missions and near-term payloads

AMG is primarily useful with crewed data because it measures active voluntary or task-driven contractions. Uncrewed opportunities are more limited but could include:

Animal or analog model payloads (if available) to study unloading or partial-g effects on muscle acoustics.
Validation or environmental testing of sensor robustness (dust, temperature extremes, radiation) as part of broader bio-monitoring technology demonstrations.
Ground-based or parabolic-flight analogs feeding into lunar planning; any small, low-power piezoelectric AMG sensor package that meets mass/power constraints could be considered for technology maturation flights.

Mapping to HRP elements

Human Health Countermeasures (HHC): Primary fit—quantifying active muscle function, exercise efficacy, fatigue, and early imbalance under partial gravity to protect strength, endurance, and injury resilience.
Human Factors and Behavioral Performance (HFBP): Strong secondary fit—objective measures of coordination, efficiency, and performance capacity during tasks that matter for mission success.
Space Radiation (SR): Indirect; chronic exposure may influence neuromuscular control or recovery. AMG could help detect subtle declines in recruitment efficiency as part of broader health monitoring, though it is not a radiation-specific dosimeter or biomarker.

In short, SOFi-style acoustic myography supplies functional, movement-relevant muscle data that are difficult to obtain with purely electrical or imaging methods. It is operationally light enough for short lunar stays and early base operations, directly informs the risks NASA has prioritized for sustained exploration, and complements existing ISS-era tools by focusing on how muscles actually perform under the mechanical environment of the lunar surface. Validation in partial-gravity analogs and careful attention to sensor robustness in the lunar environment would be logical next steps for any proposed investigation.

Acoustic Myography (AMG), specifically utilized via the SOFi M2™ system, is a non-invasive diagnostic technology designed to measure skeletal muscle function, coordination, and efficiency in real-time while in motion.

If you’re interested in learning, demonstrating or purchasing this amazing “one-of-a-kind” technology you may Contact AMT at www.myographytech.com

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