How the body's energy system affects walking in older adults
Official title: Contribution of Biological, Physiological and Gait Mechanisms to High Metabolic Cost of Walking in Older Adults
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11391401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We’re studying why walking becomes harder and tiring for people aged 70 and up, to understand what keeps their gait steady and efficient.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $652,710 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG095963-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults aged 70 years and above who are enrolled in the Johns Hopkins OAIC registry and span a range of health and functional levels.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without mobility challenges or those not in the OAIC registry may not directly benefit from these results.
What this research studies
This project looks at how energy production in muscles and overall physiology influence slow gait speed and a higher effort cost of walking in older adults. Researchers will gather data from 100 participants aged 70+ enrolled in the Johns Hopkins OAIC registry, using clinical tests, lab measures, and sensors in daily life. They will measure muscle quantity, metabolic quality, gait patterns, activity levels, and blood and physiological health markers at baseline and after two years. The aim is to identify which biological and energetic factors best predict preservation of comfortable walking speed and efficiency. The study combines measurements from the lab with real-world monitoring to understand how aging changes energy use during walking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted strategies or therapies to help older adults walk more efficiently and maintain independence.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that energy metabolism and gait mechanics relate to walking efficiency, but this project extends these insights with longer follow-up and real-world monitoring.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schrack, Jennifer Ann — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Schrack, Jennifer Ann
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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.