Researchers Katherine Boyer and Jane Kent, both professors in kinesiology and members of the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, have secured a five-year, $3.4 million NIH grant to study why older adults require more energy to walk as their pace slows down. Their research will examine gait mechanics, muscle function, and bioenergetics to develop interventions that help maintain mobility and health in aging populations. Beginning in early 2026, the team will recruit 90 participants for advanced imaging and biomechanical analysis, working with the Human Magnetic Resonance Center and other labs on campus, to uncover how muscle changes contribute to increased walking energy costs.
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