National Institute on Aging 5R01AG095946-02

Neuromechanical Bases for the Increased Energy Cost of Walking in Aging

This NIH-funded project investigates the biomechanical and physiological reasons for increased energy cost of walking in older adults, aiming to understand how muscle weakness and gait changes contribute to mobility loss with aging.

Description

Age-related mobility loss is a major public health concern due to its profound negative effect on health and quality of life. An increased energetic cost to perform activities such as walking has been well-documented in older adults and may be a primary contributor to age-related mobility loss. The overall aim of this proposal is to determine how age-related changes in gait strategy combine with contractile and bioenergetic deficits in 3 major locomotory muscle groups to increase CoW. The hypothesis is that proximal extensor muscle weakness in older adults requires greater muscle activation, increasing neuromechanical demand and muscle energy needs, thus raising the energy cost of walking. Data will be collected from 30 young (25-40 years) and 60 older (65-85 years) community-dwelling adults, balanced by sex. Measurements include electromyography, gait analysis, dynamometry, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The study aims to understand the biomechanical and physiological mechanisms behind increased energy cost of walking in aging.

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