Why walking costs more energy as we age and how to fix it
Official title: Neuromechanical Bases for the Increased Energy Cost of Walking in Aging
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11391346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
As we get older, walking can take more energy, and this study aims to understand why so energy is wasted and how to reduce it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $664,431 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG095946-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are living with age-related mobility changes and can safely participate in gait and muscle assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without mobility issues or those unable to complete gait and muscle testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why older adults burn more energy when walking by examining how gait patterns combine with muscle strength and energy use in key leg muscles. Researchers will compare how strength, size, and activation of proximal extensor muscles relate to the extra energy cost, and whether sex influences these relationships. The team will use measurements of gait, muscle performance, and bioenergetics to identify the neuromechanical factors driving higher energy cost in aging. The goal is to map out mechanisms so future interventions can help older adults walk more efficiently and with less fatigue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted therapies or training to reduce energy cost of walking for older adults, improving mobility and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows aging muscles are weaker and may require more activation, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boyer, Katherine Alaine — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Boyer, Katherine Alaine
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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.