Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Ageing

Summary

Healthy ageing is associated with the loss of muscle mass and physical function. As a result, older people are limited in their independence. The aging of muscles typically begins around the age of 30. From this age onward, muscle strength, muscle mass, and the maximum oxygen uptake of muscles decrease. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but it seems to be partly related to how oxygen moves from our blood vessels to the muscles and how muscles burn energy. The precise role of age and physical fitness, as well as whether exercise can counteract the effects of ageing, is still unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the muscle function of both physically active and inactive young and middle-aged individuals. We hypothesise that endurance training can mitigate some of the effects of ageing.

Conditions

• Aging

Interventions

OTHER

Maximal exercise test

Participants will undertake an incremental ramp test on a cycle ergometer to determine maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and the gas exchange threshold (GET). Throughout the exercise test, muscle oxygenation and deoxygenation will be monitored by NIRS.

OTHER

3D Ultrasound

Muscle volume and morphological characteristics will be assessed via 3D ultrasound imaging.

OTHER

Dynamometry

To determine the contractile properties of the knee extensors, participants will perform maximal isometric and isoinertial contractions of the knee extensors on a dynamometer.

OTHER

Exercise test and occlusions

Participants will perform a series of moderate-intensity constant power output exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer following which the recovery rates of muscle V̇O2 will be determined via a series of intermittent arterial occlusions. Throughout all tests, pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation will be determined and muscle oxygenation and deoxygenation will be monitored by NIRS.

OTHER

Exercise test in MRI

Exercise will be performed on a custom-built magnetic resonance-compatible cycle ergometer in supine position for determination of muscle phosphocreatine recovery kinetics using 31phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy \[31P-MRS\].

PROCEDURE

Muscle biopsy

A muscle biopsy will be obtained from the vastus lateralis using a modified Bergström needle technique with suction.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VU University of Amsterdam

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Richie Goulding, PhD · VU University of Amsterdam

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-25

Primary Completion

2025-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations