Understanding how genes in mitochondria affect muscle strength and movement in older adults
Official title: Impact of mitochondrial genetics on muscle oxidative capacity, fitness, and mobility in older adults
Funded at Adventhealth Orlando · NIH-11096002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how genetic differences in our cells' powerhouses, called mitochondria, might explain why some older adults, especially African Americans, experience more challenges with walking and staying active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Adventhealth Orlando NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,997 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075081-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future related studies might include older adults, particularly African Americans, who are experiencing or are at risk for mobility challenges or adult-onset diabetes mellitus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose mobility issues are not related to mitochondrial function or genetic factors may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this research.
What this research studies
Many older adults face difficulties with mobility, which can impact their independence, and this challenge is often greater for older African Americans. Our muscles rely on tiny power generators called mitochondria to function well, and we've observed that differences in how these mitochondria work can affect walking speed and overall fitness. This project aims to discover if specific genetic variations within mitochondrial DNA play a key role in these differences, potentially explaining why some individuals maintain better mobility as they age. By understanding these genetic links, we hope to uncover new ways to help people stay active and mobile longer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify individuals at higher risk for mobility issues and develop personalized strategies to maintain muscle function and mobility as people age.
How similar studies have gone: While previous work has shown a link between mitochondrial function and mobility, this specific focus on mitochondrial DNA haplotypes as a determinant of muscle oxidative capacity and fitness is a novel area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
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Adventhealth Orlando
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delany, James P — Adventhealth Orlando
- Study coordinator: Delany, James P
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.