SCU Professor Explores Space Tourism and Cardiovascular Health

Dr. Mohammad Hadadzadeh, newly appointed professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), on May 30, presented pioneering research at the World Confederation of Physiotherapy (WCPT) Congress in Tokyo, Japan, exploring an emerging frontier in physical therapy: commercial space tourism and its implications for cardiovascular health.

In a presentation that sparked enthusiastic discussions among global clinicians, academics, and researchers, Dr. Hadadzadeh introduced a novel intersection of physical therapy, health screening, and the rapidly growing space tourism industry, projected to reach over $8 billion by 2030.

“These advancements have led to the emergence of a new sector in the tourism industry—space tourism—which currently holds a market value of $1 billion,” Dr. Hadadzadeh noted. “As space travel becomes more accessible, it’s critical to understand how varying gravitational forces affect the cardiovascular system, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions.”

A New Frontier in Physical Therapy

Dr. Hadadzadeh’s platform speech addressed the current lack of tailored health assessment tools for prospective space tourists. His research team conducted a meta-analysis of existing literature to explore whether the development of specific screening tools is feasible for various types of space travel involving different levels of gravitational force.

“Currently, only healthy individuals without comorbidities are considered for commercial space travel,” he said. “But to make this experience more inclusive, we must bridge the knowledge gap in how we medically screen those with cardiovascular conditions. That’s where our research comes in.”

His ongoing project aims to create evidence-based screening protocols that will determine whether individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions are suitable candidates for specific spaceflight experiences. The long-term vision is the creation of a new specialization—Space Physical Therapy—with roles in tele-rehabilitation, pre- and post-flight training, and health monitoring in low-gravity environments.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Global Impact

This innovative research emerged from intellectual exchanges with his co-author and wife, Dr. Mohebbi, an expert in business, management, and tourism. Collaboratively, they integrated their disciplines to address a new health science challenge within the growing space tourism sector.

“The audience, which included physical therapy professionals from around the world, showed significant interest in the presentation,” Dr. Hadadzadeh shared. “This project stood out not only for its novelty in the PT field but also for integrating business concepts and forecasting new market opportunities for healthcare professionals.”

Training the Next Generation of Space-Ready PTs

Dr. Hadadzadeh is committed to mentoring students through this forward-thinking research. “Two of my previous student research advisees were involved in this project, and I’m excited to offer SCU students similar opportunities moving forward,” he said. “As faculty, it’s our responsibility to help students prepare for emerging health markets—and space tourism is one of them.”

Looking Ahead

Dr. Hadadzadeh is continuing this project, with the intention of publishing a meta-analysis of the existing literature and advancing the development of specialized screening tools. He also emphasized the importance of evolving with the healthcare landscape:

“As healthcare educators and practitioners, we must constantly seek out new frontiers to explore. I strongly believe space tourism presents a significant market share for physical therapists, and I foresee Space PT becoming a recognized specialty in the near future.”

Learn from Innovators Like Dr. Hadadzadeh

At SCU, our Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares students not only to excel in today’s clinical landscape but also to lead in emerging fields, such as space physical therapy, tele-rehabilitation, and beyond. Join a university where faculty like Dr. Hadadzadeh are redefining the future of health sciences alongside students.

Ready to start your journey? Apply to SCU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program today.