Understanding how muscles maintain endurance during exercise
Official title: New mechanisms behind skeletal muscle endurance
Funded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11048925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a process called Stretch Activation helps muscles keep working well during long activities, using mouse muscle fibers to learn more about how this works, which could eventually help people with muscle endurance issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Troy, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $522,714 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR083916-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting muscle endurance, such as congenital myopathies or muscular dystrophies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute muscle injuries or those not experiencing endurance-related muscle issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Stretch Activation (SA) in skeletal muscle endurance, particularly focusing on how it helps maintain force production during prolonged activity. By examining mouse muscle fibers under various conditions, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind SA and its contribution to muscle function. The research will utilize both skinned and live muscle fibers to measure SA characteristics and power output, providing insights into how muscles can sustain performance over time. This could lead to new strategies for treating conditions that affect muscle endurance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for muscle-related conditions, enhancing endurance and overall muscle function.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of Stretch Activation in skeletal muscle are not well-studied, previous research in cardiac muscle has shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swank, Douglas M — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Swank, Douglas M
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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.