A major new study from the University of Liverpool is investigating the link between exercise tolerance and muscle metabolism.
Research has shown that the way in which the body reacts to the stresses and strains of exercise is a strong predictor of mortality. It is known to be a better indicator than factors such as smoking, having high blood pressure, being obese or diabetic, or having high cholesterol.
The study, funded by the BBSRC and carried out in conjunction with the University of Leeds, is using rarely attempted magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques on volunteers as they undergo a battery of fitness tests.
But it is not just young, fit and healthy individuals that are participating in the study – alongside young people and elite athletes, the over 65s are also taking part to see how the mechanics of exercise tolerance changes with age.
Watch the video, featuring Bill Bimson and Professor Graham Kemp from the University’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease.
The researchers hope that combining multiple physiological studies across the healthy population with a computational systems biology approach could lead to new ways to improve quality of life in ageing populations.
To find out more about studying at University of Liverpool, visit our Study pages. You can also follow the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease on twitter @livuniageing