Members of the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Human Performance Studies and Medical Laboratories are requesting volunteers for a study to determine whether blood flow restriction therapy during moderate exercise by people 55 years of age or older results in improved functional activity and health outcomes. The findings may help provide a new approach to promoting health through moderate exercise.
The study will be conducted at the Human Performance Lab (Room 210) in the Heskett Center. During the study, participants will pedal on an exercise bike with or without blood flow restriction therapy for approximately thirty minutes, two times per week over a four-week period. Blood and saliva samples will be collected and tested for proteins related to exercise at the beginning and end of three pedaling sessions.
Lactic acid will also be measured from a drop of blood obtained from participants’ fingertips every five minutes (six times total per visit). A thirty-second sit-to-stand activity will be performed at the end of each visit to assess exercise functional outcomes. Heart rate will also be measured as participants pedal an exercise bike.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 55 or older.
- Participants must have no known muscular disorders.
- Participants must have no known neurological disorders.
- Participants must have no known cardiopulmonary disorders.
- Participants must not use nicotine products.
- Participants cannot have diabetes.
For more information, contact Dr. Nils Hakansson at nils.hakansson@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5909; Chris Deck, at cdeck@providence.org; or Dr. Heidi Bell at Heidi.bell@wichita.edu