Understanding the role of temperature on muscle function in older adults

Understanding the contribution that increased muscle temperature has on muscle function across a range of demanding tasks is important with a view to optimising the preparation for physical activity of this nature.

The overarching research question associated with this project is to determine whether passively heating muscles reliably increases the ability to produce high force contractions, and highly fatiguing contractions. This work is being conducted in younger and older adults to determine whether increase age modulates the heating-response.

Muscular function, largely strength, predicates regular human function and sustains a higher quality of life by supporting bodily movements, locomotion, and postural control. Muscle function commonly decreases with increased age as part of a phenomena known as sarcopenia. For the aged adult decreased in muscle function can result in mobility disorders, increased risk of falls and injury, loss of independence and diminished quality of life.

Warm up routines prior to physical activity are a common practice in young, athletic performance contexts with increased muscle temperature being one of the primary benefits of a warmup through direct and indirect mechanisms. Due to situational circumstances, older adults may not be able to warm up via exercise prior to physically demanding tasks. Indeed activities of daily living such as getting out of a chair or climbing stairs may be considered a performance task in the elderly.

Passive heating of the limbs to induced skeletal muscle hyperthermia has been shown to improve some aspects of neuromuscular function in young adults. To date, the benefits associated with acutely increasing muscle temperature have not been explored in older adults.

Given muscle hyperthermia can be induced by using heated clothing or blankets, the aim of this project is to understand whether passively heating muscle can enhance muscle function across a range of contexts in healthy older adults.

It is anticipated that this research will assist older adults in understanding how they should prepare for demanding tasks, particularly during periods of inactivity. Should positive outcomes associated with increasing muscle temperature in young adults be replicated in older adults, then lifestyle modifications to maintain independence and quality of life can be implemented. This may include sitting with heating applied to the legs to ensure that the limbs can function optimally immediately after a period of inactivity.

Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project

Dr Oliver Gibson - Dr Oliver Gibson is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and a member of staff in the Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences and a member of the Centre for Physical Activity in Health and Disease. Oliver is the MSc Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences programme lead and module leader for SP1616 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology, SP2605 Physiology of Sport and Exercise, and SP5603 Sport Performance Science. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of The Physiological Society. Oliver's primary research interests relate to Applied Human Physiology and in particular the impact of Heat Stress on Human Health, Performance, and Function. Please see the Research Tab, for further details. Publications can be viewed in the 'Selected Publications' tab and via Google Scholar. Oliver provides peer-review for a number of international journals, and has presented at numerous of national and international conferences winning several young investigator awards. Throughout his career he has provided physiology consultancy to a number of high performance sports.

Related Research Group(s)

Physical Activity in Health and Disease - The centre conducts interdisciplinary research to improve human health and performance through regular physical activity and exercise, and by limiting sedentary behaviour.

Project last modified 22/02/2024