University of Massachusetts Amherst: Older Volunteers Sought for Weightlifting Study

Researchers in the Muscle Biology Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology are seeking participants for a study of the effects of different resistance training exercise programs on skeletal muscle function in healthy men and women from 65 to 75 years old.

It is not clear what type of resistance training is best to improve the muscle function of older men and women and study results will help in the development of more effective resistance training programs for them.

Volunteers must meet the following criteria: 65-75 years old; sedentary (no structured exercise program); non-smoking; good general health (have no neurological, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular or pulmonary disease); no metal implants, pacemakers, or anything that prevents undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan; and willing to wear an activity monitor and fill out an activity log for ten days.

Participants will be asked to complete seven testing visits, ranging from one to three hours depending on the visit, and a 16-week exercise program at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. The testing visits will consist of health screening, assessment of body composition by MRI and DEXA scans, biopsies of both legs and tests that measure muscle strength and physical function.

The exercise program will occur three times per week, will last approximately 1 hour, and focus on improving leg muscle strength and power. Compensation will be provided upon completion of the study.

The study is part of the Cultivating Healthy Aging and Muscle Performance (CHAMP) research project.