Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Astronauts returning from space often suffer from “baby feet” — soft, hypersensitive soles, making walking on Earth painful after months of floating in zero gravity.
Without walking or standing in space, the calluses on astronauts' feet fade, leaving tender, delicate skin unprepared for Earth's rough surfaces.
Back on Earth, astronauts may feel sharp pain, tingling, and discomfort when walking — like barefoot walking on gravel after months in soft slippers.
After floating for months, gravity hits hard — feet bear weight again, muscles and nerves struggle, and balance feels off as the body readjusts.
Despite strict exercise in orbit, astronauts lose leg and foot muscle mass, making simple actions like standing and walking surprisingly difficult after return.
Microgravity confuses the inner ear’s balance system — back on Earth, astronauts often stumble, sway, and feel dizzy as their body relearns gravity.
Astronaut rehab starts with soft surface walking, muscle-strengthening exercises, and balance training, helping feet toughen and legs regain strength.
Representative pic/Canadian Space Agency
In space, fluids shift upward causing "chicken legs" and puffy faces; on Earth, legs swell painfully as circulation readjusts to gravity.
Months in space weaken foot and leg bones, increasing the risk of fractures — astronauts need calcium-rich diets and resistance training to rebuild bone strength.