Cellular Dynamics in Older Adults

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle tissue as a natural part of the aging process. The purpose of this study is to examine how specific white blood cells behave in response to resistance exercise between healthy young, healthy older adults and sarcopenic older adults to assess whether white blood cell responses are related to differences in performance and recovery following exercise between groups. Additionally, we will look at physical performance, perceived recovery, soreness, sleep duration and quality, fatigue and stress before exercise and at several time points after exercise to help characterize overall responses to exercise.

Inclusion Qualifications:

Male or female meeting the following criteria
- Healthy and ready for physical activity as determined by questionnaires you complete about your health status, and either between the ages of 18-30 years old, OR 65-85 years old, OR
- Sarcopenic (the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that happens as people get older) as determined by sarcopenia screening assessments and between the ages of 65-85 years old.
Currently untrained. To be included you must not have participated in programmed resistance training within the past year. This will be determined by a training history questionnaire (THQ).
Premenopausal, with a regular menstrual period as determined by the menstrual status questionnaire (female participants between the ages of 18-30 years old only).
Currently not pregnant and do not intend to become pregnant. We will ask you to verbally confirm your pregnancy status.
Currently be consuming ≤ 300mg caffeine per day on average and willing to keep caffeine intake consistent throughout the duration of the study.
Willing to adhere to all pre-testing visit instructions including:
- Abstaining from vigorous exercise for five days, light exercise for four days, and all forms of exercise for at least three days prior to visit 5.
- Abstaining from caffeine for at least 12 hours prior to visit 5, 6 and 7.
- Abstaining from alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to visit 5 through completion of visit 7.
- Willing to fast for at least 8 hours prior to visits 6 and 7.
Normotensive (blood pressure within normal limits) or have controlled hypertension.
Are not currently taking and have no prior history of using of any performance enhancing drugs.
Free from previous or current lower body injuries that may limit your ability to complete either exercise or physical assessments.
Highly likely to be successful at providing the required blood samples. This will be determined during today’s visit by a certified phlebotomist.
Not regularly taking any type of prescription or over-the-counter medication which might affect the assessments, or having any chronic illnesses, which require medical care. This will be determined in your medical history questionnaire and other screening questionnaires.

Exclusion Qualifications:

You may not participate in this research opportunity if any of the following applies to you:

Individual does not agree to participate in this study.
Individual does not meet inclusion criteria to participate in the study protocols as determined via the PAR-Q+, medical history questionnaire, training history questionnaire, and/or the caffeine consumption questionnaire.
Lower-body surgery or myocardial infarction within the past year
History of cancer, neuromuscular diseases, and/or metabolic diseases.
Reported use of an assistive walking device within the past year
Advised by their primary care physician to not participate in exercise.
Not currently meeting definition of untrained.
Current known pregnancy or intent to become pregnant during the study period.
Currently taking any performance-enhancing drug (determined from MHQ).
Currently taking a nutritional supplement viewed by the research team to confound the outcomes of the study and not willing to abstain from taking the supplement during the course of the study or not willing to undergo a 4-week wash-out period prior to participating if required.
Evaluated as having a low likelihood of successful venipuncture by a certified phlebotomist.

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