Study Comparing Muscle and Nerve Function in Adults Aged 60 to 85 Who Are Regular Exercisers or Untrained

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the nervous systems control of skeletal muscle activity in adults aged 60 to 85 who are either long-term resistance exercisers or untrained. This cross-sectional observational study compares 20 to 40 highly resistance-trained adults with 20 to 40 untrained adults matched for age, sex, and BMI to understand differences in neuromuscular recruitment. Participants will complete five visits. The first visit includes screening with blood tests, body composition measurement by DEXA, meal tolerance testing, a VO2max cycling test, and muscle strength tests using knee extension and handgrip devices. Visits two and three involve additional meal tolerance tests and brain MRI scans. The fourth and fifth visits use transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS combined with electromyography EMG to assess muscle excitability and confirm measurement reproducibility. Throughout the study, participants undergo various tests and assessments, including blood draws, imaging, strength tests, and neurophysiological measurements. Researchers will measure EMG responses after TMS to evaluate neuromuscular function. The total participation time spans multiple visits to gather comprehensive data on muscle and nerve function in older adults, with safety and health status monitored throughout.

A Comparison of Neuromuscular Recruitment in Trained and Untrained Adults