How aging biology affects how older adults respond to strength training
The Impact of Biological Mechanisms of Aging on Response Variability to Resistance Training in Older Adults (BRIO)
This work looks at whether signs of cellular aging and DNA changes change how people 65 and older respond to strength (resistance) training, focusing on physical ability and blood sugar control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171485 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll take part in a supervised resistance (strength) training program designed for older adults. The team will measure your physical function (for example strength and walking ability) and insulin sensitivity before and after the training. They will collect blood and possibly small muscle samples to test for cellular senescence markers and DNA methylation patterns. The investigators will compare those biomarker results with who improves most to better understand why responses to exercise vary.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older who can participate in supervised strength training and who may have or be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Not a fit: People who cannot safely perform resistance exercise because of unstable medical issues, severe mobility limitations, or who are younger than 65 are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help tailor exercise plans so older adults get better improvements in mobility and blood sugar control.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show resistance training often improves strength and insulin sensitivity in older adults and early work links senescence and epigenetic markers to function, but using these biomarkers to explain individual response variability is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lebrasseur, Nathan K — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lebrasseur, Nathan K
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.