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NIA-funded science has shown for decades that finding a physical activity you enjoy and doing it regularly decreases risk or lessens the severity of age-related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes. Additionally, numerous studies point to how exercise can improve mental health, cognitive performance, sleep, general health, and longevity. While a multitude of physical activity benefits are well known, one big question in this field of research is why different people respond to exercise in various ways.
Exploring variation in exercise
To better understand how physical activity affects older adults, we are pleased to announce a new funding opportunity, Elucidating Variability of Physiologic and Functional Responses to Exercise Training in Older Adults (R01 Clinical Trial Required) . Through this request for applications (RFA) and subsequent awards, NIA will support studies on the biological on/off switches, biomarkers, and other mechanisms resulting in response differences.
Understanding the underlying “engines of exercise” will help us develop more precise and effective interventions that modify the intensity, duration, and type of physical activity based on an older adult’s unique physiological and functional needs. Innovative, transdisciplinary studies are encouraged to help disentangle the complicated relationships among factors that drive response variation to exercise.
Additional exercise research resources
The RFA was informed by our April 2022 workshop, “ Understanding Heterogeneity of Responses to, and Optimizing Clinical Efficacy of, Exercise Training in Older Adults .” Discussion at the workshop led to the identification of key research gaps and transdisciplinary approaches for exploring the wide variation in how exercise affects strength; mobility; heart function, blood pressure, and cardiovascular fitness; metabolic health, including control of blood sugar and weight; gut microbiome; sleep quality; pain; and cognitive health.
The RFA also builds from previous NIA-funded research on the underlying mechanisms that enable exercise’s many benefits. One additional resource to check out is the NIH Common Fund’s Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC), which is managed by NIA, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. MoTrPAC researchers are mapping and exploring exercise’s many molecular mechanisms, biological processes, and pathways that affect health and disease outcomes in animal models and in humans. While MoTrPAC data may provide helpful context for applications to our new RFA, its use is not required.
Apply to the RFA by Nov. 3!
We hope you and your scientific team are looking to limber up and jump into these exercise-related initiatives. Be sure to apply to the RFA by Nov. 3! For more information, email Lyndon Joseph or leave a comment below.
Applications Clinical Research Geroscience 2023-08-30T00:00:00Z