Kinesiology Student Team Places Second in NASA Challenge

A kinesiology student team from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) snagged second place in a statewide NASA-sponsored design challenge by creating a wearable exercise device for astronauts. Yep, kinesiology students—those who usually study muscles, movement, and human performance—are now solving space problems. Who would’ve thought? And what do you think the goal will be? Well… to help astronauts stay healthy in space, of course. But more interestingly, it shows how versatile this field really is.

Meet the Pleiades Team

The team, called Pleiades, includes seniors Anaya Kashikar (the leader), Clay Martin, Martha Hinojosa, and Matthew Pearson. They competed in the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge, which was held outside Houston on April 18, 2025. The goal? Develop a device that prevents muscle atrophy during long spaceflights. In this case, they used blood flow restriction (BFR) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation—techniques that make muscles work harder without lifting heavy weights. So, they’re basically creating gym equipment that astronauts can wear.

TWU’s Kinesiology Program: A History of Innovation

And let’s move on, this isn’t the first time TWU’s kinesiology program has shined. This achievement adds to their track record of finishing in the top four 12 times over 14 semesters, with five wins. Impressive, right? It seems to me that it is time to comment on this aspect: kinesiology students are not just about sports or rehab. They’re innovating solutions for space, health, and technology—areas you wouldn’t necessarily associate with muscles and movement.

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Recognition and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

What’s more, TWU’s faculty advisor, Rhett Rigby, played a key role guiding these students. The team also earned scholarships for their work, which isn’t just a pat on the back. It’s a sign of recognition for real-world impact. And by the way, they also say that the competition was mainly attended by engineering students, with TWU being the only kinesiology team present. That’s a good reminder that interdisciplinary work is where the magic happens.

The Future of Kinesiology

So, what does this say about the future of kinesiology? For one, it’s not limited anymore to clinics or gyms. It’s about applying human performance knowledge to solve complex problems—like space travel. And now is when we see how students can step outside their comfort zones and make a difference.

Expanding Horizons

In the end, this story teaches us that the skills learned in kinesiology—understanding how muscles work, how blood flow impacts performance—can be used in places we don’t expect. It makes you wonder: what other fields could benefit from this knowledge? Could we see a future where kinesiology graduates become space engineers? Or maybe develop tech for military or disaster zones?

What do you think? Do you think these students are just getting started? Comment! And don’t forget to read more of our articles; there’s always something new to discover. This news helps us see the potential for all kinds of students to turn their passions into solutions that matter.

Claire Maddox