Our geriatrics research is comprised of a wide range of programs that involve sarcopenia, balance disorders, and rheumatic disorders. In addition, future initiatives concerning healthy aging will be conducted in close association with The National Collaborative on Aging at GW, an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to research, community outreach, and education in the area of healthy aging.

General descriptions of our current geriatric research are provided below:

• Functional Assessment and Balance Screening: Timely and accurate balance screening is an essential component of a comprehensive falls prevention program. We are working with IONA Senior Services, Asbury Communities, and the GW Community Fitness Center to develop effective balance screening tools.
  GW PT Investigators: Drs. Costello and Rogers
• Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Post-exercise adaptations of skeletal muscle are not limited to hypertrophy. Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound provides an non-invasive method of assessing qualities of muscle ultrastructure such as pennation angle and tissue stiffness. We are working with collaborators at the NIH and GW Sonography program to validate methods of diagnostic ultrasound assessment for use in exercise clinical trials.
  GW PT Investigators: Dr. Harris-Love
  Collaborators: Drs. Blackman, Hahn, and Brindle; Prof. Ismail
• Negative Work Training: Negative work training harnesses the benefits of submaximal eccentric muscle actions for use in rehabilitation regimens. Negative work training may yield greater gains in comparison to traditional strength training regimens. Furthermore, negative work is associated with lower ratings of perceived exertion in comparison to similar magnitude We are investigating the efficacy of negative work training for treatment of sarcopenia and intrinsic muscle disease. This study is being conducted in collaboration with COMSAR2.
  GW PT Investigators: Dr. Harris-Love
  Collaborators: Drs. Katz, Blackman, Cobbs, Miller, and Brindle
• Inflammatory Muscle Disease in Older Adults: Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most prevalent muscle disease in adults over the age of 50. There is no effective pharmacologic treatment for IBM. Therefore, evidence-based rehabilitation interventions are critical elements of the plan of care. We are currently collaborating with Dr. Dalakas (NINDS) to characterize the impact of strength impairments on functional performance in this patient population, and conduct pilot studies to help determine the optimal exercise intensity for strengthening programs. In addition, we are partnering with the IMACS group to develop functional assessment batteries for adults with myopathy, and the University of Pittsburgh to provide support for the multi-center Rituximab in Myositis (RIM) Study.
  GW PT Investigators: Dr. Harris-Love
  Collaborators: Drs. Dalakas and Katz