Muscle and physical performance in African Caribbean adults
The Study of Muscle and Physical Performance in African Caribbeans.
This project looks at why older African Caribbean adults often have more muscle mass but weaker strength and poorer physical function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11006341 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you’ll be asked about your medical history and daily activities, have body measurements, muscle strength tests, and imaging or scans to measure muscle and fat within the muscle. You’ll also give blood or other samples so researchers can look at genetics (including levels of European admixture) and biological markers linked to muscle health. The team will compare these measures in a large group from Tobago and follow changes over time to understand what drives weakness despite higher muscle mass. Findings are intended to point to ways to keep people mobile and independent as they age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults of African Caribbean ancestry (age 21 and older), especially older adults, who can attend study visits, complete strength tests and body scans, and provide blood or other samples.
Not a fit: People without African Caribbean ancestry or those unable to complete physical testing or travel to study sites may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify targets for therapies, exercise programs, or prevention strategies to help preserve strength and mobility in African Caribbean adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies, including the investigators’ prior work in Tobago, have shown higher lean mass but lower strength in Black populations, so this study builds on existing findings rather than testing a new treatment.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miljkovic, Iva — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Miljkovic, Iva
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.