A team of Texas Woman’s University (TWU) kinesiology students, known as Team Pleiades, has achieved significant recognition at a NASA-sponsored statewide design competition. On April 18, 2025, they secured second place overall in the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge held just outside Houston.
The team, comprised of seniors Anaya Kashikar (team lead), Clay Martin, Martha Hinojosa, and Matthew Pearson, excelled by taking first place in the oral presentation category and third place for the best poster. As a result of their remarkable performance, the team members received scholarships to support their academic endeavors.
Team Pleiades focused their efforts on developing a wearable exercise device designed to mitigate muscle atrophy experienced by astronauts during space flights. This innovative concept has the potential to transform astronaut workouts by using blood flow restriction (BFR) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to achieve similar performance outcomes with less weight in a shorter time span.
According to Rhett Rigby, the interim director of the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology at TWU and the team’s faculty advisor, “This team’s ability to collaborate, and their genuine care for one another, allowed them to be very competitive at the design challenge.”
This competition success continues a strong tradition of excellence for TWU’s School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology’s research internship team. With a history of finishing in the top four 12 times out of the 14 semesters they have entered, TWU has claimed victory in the competition five times, including the prior semester.
In the last three years, TWU teams have concentrated on addressing muscle atrophy during long-duration space flights. The latest iteration of this project involves a compact blood flow restriction device enhanced with a neuromuscular electrical stimulation system. This upgraded device is designed to be sturdier and more adaptive to space conditions, enabling astronauts to exercise effectively in microgravity environments.
The combined benefits of BFR and electrical stimulation can lead to similar outcomes as high-intensity resistance training but with reduced risk of injury and enhanced muscle growth and recovery. Key components of the device, such as materials, testing protocols, and coding, were specifically tailored for use in microgravity.
The four seniors dedicated over 1,000 combined hours to the project since January, applying health science principles while acquiring skills in engineering concepts like coding and circuitry. Their balanced approach to teamwork both inside and outside the lab has been a crucial factor in their success.
Rigby highlighted the synergy and dedication of the team, noting, “These team members seemed to strike the balance between life inside and outside the lab. They worked hard and were diligent in their daily responsibilities when working on the project. Outside of the lab, they enjoyed each other’s company and wanted to be around each other. I believe this balance is a key to a successful team.”