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The ability of older adults (≥65 yrs) to generate the force and power necessary to maintain mobility and perform daily activities is compromised by 1) a loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), particularly from the atrophy of fast fibers, and 2) an increase in fatigability when performing moderate- to high-velocity contractions. This is a critical health care problem because maintaining mobility and an active lifestyle is important for quality of life and for mitigating the risk of developing life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, in the aging population. Despite the clear clinical significance, the mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability are poorly understood and significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the optimal intervention(s) to improve muscle power and fatigability with aging. Our long-term goal is to identify the mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability during dynamic contractions and tailor optimal exercise training program(s) that target the involved mechanisms to improve muscle power and fatigability in older men and women.
The ability of older adults (≥65 yrs) to generate the force and power necessary to maintain mobility and perform daily activities is compromised by 1) a loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), particularly from the atrophy of fast fibers, and 2) an increase in fatigability when performing moderate- to high-velocity contractions. This is a critical health care problem because maintaining mobility and an active lifestyle is important for quality of life and for mitigating the risk of developing life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, in the aging population. Despite the clear clinical significance, the mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability are poorly understood and significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the optimal intervention(s) to improve muscle power and fatigability with aging. Our long-term goal is to identify the mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability during dynamic contractions and tailor optimal exercise training program(s) that target the involved mechanisms to improve muscle power and fatigability in older men and women.
Our central hypothesis is that the greater accumulation of metabolites and concomitant increase in fatigability is due to age-related impairments in skeletal muscle bioenergetics and vascular function. To test this hypothesis, we will assess fatigability, bioenergetics and vascular function in older adults before and after a novel training. This novel training has the potential to provide a robust metabolic and mechanical stimulus to improve muscle power and fatigability in older men and women.
Our central hypothesis is that the greater accumulation of metabolites and concomitant increase in fatigability is due to age-related impairments in skeletal muscle bioenergetics and vascular function. To test this hypothesis, we will assess fatigability, bioenergetics and vascular function in older adults before and after a novel training. This novel training has the potential to provide a robust metabolic and mechanical stimulus to improve muscle power and fatigability in older men and women.
Funding: National Institute of Health [R01 AG048262]
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