[Rumor]

HOUSTON, Oct. 23 — What does it say about this country that it’s hard to find people willing to be paid to lie around all day and take an occasional spin?

NASA’s Johnson Space Center is conducting experiments on counteracting the effects of weightlessness. To simulate a zero-gravity environment, volunteers lie down for three weeks on beds with their feet about five inches higher than their heads. They do not get up: they eat propped on an elbow, use bedpans and shower lying down on a waterproof gurney.

Like real weightlessness, this simulated version can weaken muscles and bone. To determine whether the effects can be countered, the study puts some subjects in a daily one-hour ride on a centrifuge bed that spins about 30 times a minute to simulate gravity.

The problem is that the researchers are not finding many recruits, said Liz Warren, the deputy project scientist, who is working with NASA researchers and scientists from outside institutions, including the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They had hoped for about 30 participants and have enrolled about 10.

Some people may be put off by the centrifuge bed, which — let’s face it — does look like a high-tech torture device. But Dr. Warren said just one potential test subject “has had any significant motion sickness.” Volunteers receive $6,100 for their time in the 41-day study, which includes 11 days of medical tests and 9 days of recovery.

“I don’t know why it’s so hard” to find volunteers, Dr. Warren said. “You look at how many people in this country do nothing but be couch potatoes anyway. Why can’t they come work for us?”

But later in the conversation, she shared an inkling. “Could you lie down for that period?” she asked. “Could you take that much time off of work?”

Would-be professional layabouts have until Nov. 12 to enter the study.

Someone was telling me last night that he knew someone who did this in Mass. He said that they guy was bedridden for months after the fact. I think (and told him) that it must of been a different test. That just seemed too long a recovery time.

Anyhow, got 41 days to spare? They still need volunteers and you make $6100. Not to mention that you're helping science.

[starman]

Mars trip test?

[Dakar²]

I wonder what they let you do while you're bed ridden

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

I wonder what they let you do while you're bed ridden

I think you kind of lay there and spin 30 times a minute.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

I think you kind of lay there and spin 30 times a minute.

Only for 1 hour a day.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

Only for 1 hour a day.

Perhaps you spend the rest of the time play 360 on Live? If that's the case, I might sign up.