Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Independence And Social Connection: The Impact Of A Tailored Exercise Program On New Residents Transitioning Into Australian Residential Care Facilities, Stacey Scott, Annette Raynor, Julie Dare, Jennifer Grieve, Leesa Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Transitioning from independent living to a residential care facility often results in a significant loss of independence, autonomy, and connectedness, leaving new residents with profound feelings of loss and grief. In light of these challenges, this study explored the potential benefits of a tailored in-house exercise program for new residents. Methods: The study took place in an Australian residential care facility and included four new residents (aged 72 to 88, 75% female), who participated in a 12-week tailored exercise program led by an exercise physiologist. A focused ethnographic approach was used to obtain a comprehensive data set, drawing on …

Non-Vigorous Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Hospitalization Risk With Or Without Diabetes Or Peripheral Artery Disease: Study Of Latinos., Sarah K. Alver, Carmen C. Cuthbertson, Kelly R. Evenson, Jennifer A. Schrack, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Natasha Z. Anita, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Linda C. Gallo, Jordan A. Carlson, Matthew Allison, Martha L. Daviglus, Olga Garcia-Bedoya, Christina Cordero, Xiaonan Xue, Jianwen Cai, Kunihiro Matsushita, Robert C. Kaplan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether greater physical activity (PA) and lesser sedentary behavior (SB) reduce hospitalization risk equally among those with and without prediabetes, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS: We studied PA, SB and hospitalizations in 12,734 adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, who were 52.2% female with mean (standard deviation) age 41.1 (14.9) yr at baseline. Participants reported 10,025 nonpregnancy-related hospitalizations (excluding emergency room only) over 13 yr. We modeled the association between accelerometer-measured activity (SB; light intensity physical activity [LPA]; moderate physical activity [MPA]; vigorous physical activity [VPA]) and hospitalization, using Andersen-Gill proportional …

The Acute Effect Of A Single Dose Of Berberine On Blood Glucose Response Following A Standardized Meal And 2-Mile Walk Performance In Healthy Adults, Victor Emmanuel Obaro

Master's Theses

It is clear that exercise improves overall health status, and it is possible that berberine (BR) may work through some similar mechanisms to improve health status as well.  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the acute effects of a single dose of BR on health status following a standardized meal and a 2 mile walk treadmill protocol with outcomes including blood glucose (BG), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and a two-mile walk time trial performance. Methods: This study used a cross-over design where 14 healthy, young adults were given berberine (BBR) …

A Cooking Skills Intervention For Long-Term Weight Loss In Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Rationale And Design For A Randomized Trial., Lauren T. Ptomey, Jessica C. Danon, Delwyn Catley, Richard A. Washburn, Amy Bodde, Francisco J. Diaz, Brian C. Helsel, Anna M. Rice, Joseph R. Sherman, Madison Koester, Walker S. Mckinney Ph.D., Joseph E. Donnelly

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) are an underserved population with a high prevalence of obesity, obesity-related health conditions, and reduced ability to complete instrumental and basic activities of daily living (I/ADLs). After leaving the structured environment of public school, many young adults with ID spend more time at home or in day programs, begin living more independently, or enter the workforce. These transitions may increase reliance on fast or processed foods and reduce opportunities for physical activity, contributing to accelerated weight gain. Previous research has demonstrated clinically meaningful short- and long-term weight loss (18-24 months) in adults with mild-to-moderate …

Experiences Of Cholesterol Management Among Obese Individuals: A Qualitative Exploration Of Statin Use, Diet, And Physical Activity, Ke'andra S. Foggie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decade, with obesity identified as a major contributing factor. This study examined how individuals with obesity and hypercholesterolemia managed cholesterol and experienced related challenges within their daily lives. Guided by the Chronic Care Model, the research explored participant-reported experiences of statin therapy and lifestyle practices, including dietary behaviors and physical activity, as components of cholesterol management. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to analyze participant-reported barriers, supports, and contextual factors that shape how these practices are incorporated into daily routines. Although extensive research has examined statin …

Psychological Attitude Toward Physical Exercise Content On Social Media As A Predictor Of Body Mass Index, Fathil Bakir Mutsher Allami

Modern Sport

The present study used a survey research design to collect data from 240 Iraqi women regarding their attitudes toward social media that have been presented physical exercise and fitness content, the duration and intensity of training woman did per week, and to predict body mass index based on the level of psychological attitudes they have. Descriptive statistics revealed that the majority of the sample have moderate attitudes toward physical exercise and fitness platforms. The intensity and duration of physical exercise have not met the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which emphasizes 150–300 minutes per week at moderate …

Longitudinal And Cross-Sectional Evidence That Daily Resting And Activity Energy Expenditures Are Independent In Humans, Andrew K Yegian, Elizabeth Pachus, Leanne M Redman, Steven B Heymsfield, K Falkenhain, Alexandra R Harris, Shaji K Chacko, William W Wong, Daniel E Lieberman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Total energy expenditure (TEE) is commonly modelled as the sum of resting energy expenditure (REE), activity energy expenditure (AEE), and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). This additive model has recently been challenged by the constrained energy balance model, which proposes that reductions in mass-adjusted REE compensate to some extent for increases in AEE, rendering mass-adjusted TEE effectively invariant. We tested these competing models using two complementary approaches. First, we conducted a short-term longitudinal, repeated-measures experiment in 12 adults who completed 10-day periods of high and low physical activity separated by a washout period. TEE was measured with doubly labelled water, AEE with …

Qualitative Evaluation Of The Seated Physical Activity Intervention (Spin) Randomized Controlled Trial For Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms): Formative Feedback And Future Directions, Angela J Piasecki, Robert W Motl, Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, Stephanie L Silveira

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) often face barriers that restrict participation in physical activity and exercise training. This manuscript reports on participant feedback to guide evaluating and refining a novel exercise training program, Seated Physical activity INtervention (SPIN). SPIN was adapted from the Guidelines for Exercise in MS (GEMS) approach using a three-step community-engaged research framework based on meeting the needs of wheelchair users with MS.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 participants who completed the 16-week SPIN intervention. The key SPIN intervention components were the exercise prescription, exercise equipment, and behavioral coaching grounded in Social Cognitive …

Exercise Therapy For Mood Disorders In Retiring/Former Athletes, Christian Antos

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the potential integration of exercise therapy and psychotherapy as a treatment approach for mood-related difficulties experienced by former elite athletes during the transition out of competitive sport. Retirement from athletics is often associated with significant biopsychosocial challenges, including disruptions in identity, healthy routines, social support, and emotional well-being. Existing literature suggests that exercise may serve as an effective adjunctive intervention for improving mood and overall psychological functioning, though limited research has explored its application among retiring athletes within psychotherapeutic contexts. This literature review synthesized current research related to athletic retirement, neurobiological mechanisms associated with physical activity, and …

Muscle Changes In Critically Ill Children Following An Early Progressive Exercise In The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Pre- And Post-Intervention Study, Shaodan Qi, Yuxia Yang, Jing Hu, Weijie Shen, Hao Zhou, Jos M. Latour, Weiming Chen, Ying Gu

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: Most critically ill children in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are immobilised. Prolonged immobilisation in the PICU negatively affects children's physical health outcomes. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an early progressive exercise (EPE) intervention to improve the PICU-acquired muscle weakness and to assess the safety of the EPE intervention. Study Design: A single-centre pre- and post-intervention design was adopted. The intervention was the EPE starting within 48–72 h after PICU admission. Primary outcome was the 7-day difference of right rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area (RRMCSA). Secondary outcomes were the 7-day difference …

The Effect Of Acute Hypoxia Exposure, With Exercise, On Bone Metabolic Biomarkers, Alyssa Bailly

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Hypoxic environments, resulting from decreased atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen, reduce oxygen availability in the blood and tissues, leading to a mismatch between supply and demand. This elicits several physiological adaptations and may influence bone metabolism. Although evidence suggests that hypoxia can modulate bone remodeling through hypoxia-inducible pathways, findings remain mixed, with most data derived from chronic hypoxic exposures in animal and cell culture models. Exercise, an essential stimulus for bone health, may exacerbate hypoxic stress; however, the skeletal response to acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise remains unclear. We propose that intermittent exercise in hypoxia may increase negative markers …

A Survey-Based Analysis Of The Use Of Lifestyle Medicine In Clinical Practices Of South Jersey, Zehra Jaffri

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and are largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors. Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is an evidence-based medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions—including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, substance use reduction, and healthy relationships—to prevent, treat, and reverse many chronic conditions. Despite strong evidence supporting lifestyle interventions, LM use in routine primary care remains inconsistent due to barriers such as limited visit time, inadequate clinician training, lack of reimbursement, and difficulty sustaining behavioral change. This study evaluates how often lifestyle counseling is discussed in South Jersey primary …

Exploring Exercise Motivation And Mental Well-Being In College Students, Elaine M. Lindesmith, Anqi Deng Dr

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, exercise motivation, and mental well-being among 48 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study used survey data to measure depression, anxiety, physical activity, and open-ended exercise motivation responses. Motivation responses were coded as autonomous or controlled.

Results showed that physical activity was weakly and negatively related to depression and anxiety, but these relationships were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences in mental health between autonomous and controlled motivation groups, and motivation did not significantly predict mental health outcomes in regression analyses. Overall, the …

Effect Of A Structured Physical Activity Program On Chair Stand Disability In Older Adults, Ryan R. Alvarez, Todd Manini, Jack Guralnik, Anooop T. Balachandran

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

GNYACSM Original Research Abstract 

Effect of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Chair Stand Disability in Older Adults 

RYAN R. ALVAREZ, TODD MANINI, JACK GURALNIK, ANOOP T. BALACHANDRAN

Exercise & Aging Lab; Department of Family, Nutrition & Exercise Science; Queens College; Flushing, NEW YORK
School of Medicine; University of Maryland; Baltimore, MARYLAND        Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics; College of Medicine and Institute on Aging at the University of Florida; Gainesville, FLORIDA 

Chair stand disability, or the inability to stand up from a chair without assistance, is fundamental to activities of daily living and is associated with physical dependence …

A Digital Diabetes Prevention Program For Hispanic Adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol For A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Erica G Soltero, Marbelly Partida, Sandra Mihail, Lizette Villanueva, Callie Lopez, Salma M Musaad, Teresia M O'Connor, Maria J Redondo, Matthew Buman, Debbe Thompson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Hispanic youth are disproportionately impacted by obesity and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2D) yet remain underrepresented in diabetes prevention research. Digital health interventions hold promise for increasing the accessibility to and engagement in disease prevention programming, particularly among high-risk populations. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding digital T2D prevention programs for adolescents or Hispanic youth.

Objective: The objective of this article is to describe the protocol for examining the feasibility of a 12-week digital diabetes prevention program among Hispanic adolescents with obesity.

Methods: Participants (N=40; aged 12-16 years) will be randomized (1:1) to a 12-week …

Relative Impact Of Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions On Deficit Accumulation Frailty Over 24 Months In The U.S. Pointer Trial, Mark A Espeland, Kayloni Olson, Christy C Tangney, Darren R Gitelman, Maryjo Cleveland, Amber A Thro, Yitbarek N Demesie, Heather M Snyder, Rachel A Whitmer, Pankaja Desai, Rifat Alam, Lucia Crivelli, Thomas M Holland, Olivia Preissle, Rema Raman, Michele K York, Laura D Baker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Multidomain lifestyle interventions hold promise as approaches to slow aging. Deficit accumulation frailty indices (FIs) are increasingly used to capture aging processes. Frailty is highly associated with increased mortality and chronic disease risk, but the degree to which multidomain lifestyle changes impact frailty is not clear.

Methods: The U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) was a 2-year randomized clinical trial to compare two multidomain lifestyle interventions designed to increase exercise, improve diet, and promote social and cognitive stimulating activities and health monitoring. The Structured intervention incorporated greater structure, intensity, and accountability …

Comparison Of Levels Of Bmi, Stress, And Depression Of Women During The Prenatal Period Relative To Their Activity Levels, Kalayna King

Honors Theses

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (treatment/experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise …

Protocol For Non-Invasive Assessment Of Skeletal Muscle Structure And Function In Adolescents With Single Ventricle Heart Disease: A Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study., Tyler A. Fick, Trent J. Herda, Emily Cramer, David A. White, Daniel Forsha

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation, and the most severe type, single ventricle (SV) heart disease, requires the Fontan surgical palliation. Fontan palliation minimizes hypoxemia and volume overload by separating systemic and pulmonary circulations, resulting in the absence of a sub-pulmonary pump. Skeletal muscle health may have a greater relative contribution to overall functional capacity of those with SV physiology, via the skeletal muscle (SkM) pump mechanism and oxidative capacity. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively evaluate multiple domains of SkM in this population compared to those with normal cardiac anatomy.

METHODS: Forty …

Characterizing Obesity Phenotypes Through Fitness And Metabolic Markers In Women, Jordyn Walters, Andrea Osorio, Felipe Cabello, Allison Chetta, Gianna Filippou, Clara De Torres Ensenat, Karla Cordero-Ortega, Shery Kamel, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Exercise Of Cognitive Development In Young Children, Hannah Schlomann

Psychology Student Publications

This paper examines the relationship between physical activity and cognitive development in young children ages 0-5. Increased tablet time and sedentary behavior is becoming common for young children. This paper examines the effect of four categories of movement including screen based sedentary behavior, non-screen based sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and moderate to rigorous physical activity, as well as the effects of motor ability on cognitive development.

Randomized Controlled Trial Outcomes For Homestyles-2, An Online Obesity Prevention Program For Families With Children In Middle Childhood, Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Angelica A. Pozzoli, Kaitlyn M. Eck, John Worobey, Karla Pagan Shelnutt, Melissa D. Olfert, Virginia Quick

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

Background: Parents are children’s primary role models, are food and physical activity gatekeepers, and create the home structure/lifestyle environment. Thus, parents strongly influence children’s weight-related behaviors and have the opportunity to cultivate a “culture of health” within the home. Methods: The aim of the HomeStyles-2 (also called HomeStyles-Child) RCT was to determine whether this online, novel, age-appropriate, family intervention enabled and motivated the 131 systematically randomly assigned by computer parents of children in middle childhood (ages 6 to 11) in the experimental condition to shape home environments and healthy weight-related lifestyle practices to be more supportive of optimal health and …

Effect Of A 6-Week Structured Exercise Intervention On Tnf-Α During The Chronic Recovery Phase Of A Burn Injury Compared To Regular Daily Activities: A Pilot Randomised Cross-Over Trial, Tyler Jerome Osborne, Grant Rowe, Dale W. Edgar, Mark Fear, Fiona M. Wood, Timothy Fairchild, Brook Galna, Pippa Kenworthy, Brad Wall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Burn injury induces a prolonged inflammatory response that may contribute to long-term metabolic dysfunction. Exercise is known to reduce inflammation in various clinical populations; however, its effect on chronic post-burn inflammation remains unclear. This crossover trial investigated the impact of a 6-week exercise intervention on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in adults with non-severe burns sustained more than one year prior. Methods: Twenty-one participants were randomised to complete either a 6-week exercise program or a control period first, separated by a 4-week washout. The exercise program comprised three supervised sessions per week of combined resistance and cardiovascular training. Primary (TNF-α) …

Perceptions And Use Of Behaviour Change Interventions For Physical Activity In Chronic Respiratory Disease In The Republic Of Ireland, Ciara Hanrahan, Joseph G Mcveigh, Terence M O'Connor, Thierry Troosters, Julie Broderick

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Behaviour change interventions may support physical activity behaviour in people with chronic respiratory disease. The most effective interventions for long-term physical activity behaviour change in this cohort remains unclear. This aim of this study was to explore the use and perceptions of behaviour change interventions by both providers of physical activity programmes for people with chronic respiratory disease and by people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in The Republic of Ireland.

Design: Two anonymous online and paper-copy cross-sectional surveys, piloted and mapped to the COM-B model of behaviour change, were distributed via social media and relevant gate-keepers …

Associations Of Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity Timing With Type 2 Diabetes Incidence In Uk Biobank And Prevalent Glycemic Measures In Nhanes, Qiuyu Feng, Gali Albalak, Linjun Ao, Qian Xiao, Heming Wang, Jeroen H P M Van Der Velde, Jessica C Kiefte-De Jong, Martin K Rutter, Charles E Matthews, Joshua R Freeman, Ko Willems Van Dijk, Diana Van Heemst, Raymond Noordam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: We assessed the association between timing of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and glycemic measures.

Research design and methods: Regression models were used to assess associations between accelerometer-derived MVPA timing and incident T2D in UK Biobank (UKB) (n = 84,528, prospective), prevalent diabetes, and glycemic measures in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 6,998, cross-sectional).

Results: In UKB, with early morning (0500-0959) MVPA as reference and before adjustment for total MVPA, "variable-timing" MVPA was associated with the lowest incident T2D risk; while after adjustment, afternoon-evening MVPA (1500-2400) showed the lowest …

Physical Activity In Osteosarcoma Patients During And Post Therapy: A Single Site Prospective Observational Study, Elysia R Cohen, Clark Andersen, Karen Moody, Maria C Swartz, Michael C Robertson, Alakh Rajan, Theresa Honey, Sandra Lugo, Grace Waterman, Keri Schadler

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Many patients face long-term impairments in their mobility and function after treatment, leading to a decrease in their quality of life. Exercise has been shown to improve functional recovery and improve quality of life in patients with cancer, though data specific to children with osteosarcoma are sparse. Exercise has also been shown to be feasible in patients undergoing chemotherapy, with numerous potential benefits to health and quality of life. To design the most effective exercise interventions for children and adolescents with osteosarcoma, we must first understand the …

Influence Of Weekend Social Jetlag On Glucose Tolerance Testing, Ariana Khzarjyan, Srushti Wagh, Graham Mcginnis

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Student Research

Background: Circadian rhythms regulate physiological and metabolic functions across a 24-hour cycle. However, modern lifestyles often disrupt these rhythms. A common example is weekend schedule shifts, when people sleep and wake later than on weekdays, a phenomenon referred to as social jetlag (SJL).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to; 1) determine whether chronic SJL leads to impaired glucose tolerance, and 2) determine if acute changes in glucose tolerance occur following a weekend of social jetlag (SJL).

Methods: Fifteen male C57BL/6 mice on a normal chow diet were used in this study. To model social jetlag (SJL), mice were …

Eight Weeks Of Concurrent Exercise Training Improves Cardiometabolic Health And Continuous Glucose Monitor Glycemic Control Indices Among Healthy Sedentary Adults, Adrian A. Ordaz, Joshua Labadah, Richard Vazquez, Jehu Apaflo, Seyram Y. Azagloh, Sudip Bajpeyi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

It is well established that exercise improves cardiometabolic health. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems are mostly used among individuals with diabetes. However, the use of CGM to measure the effect of concurrent aerobic and resistance training on glycemic variability indices has not been extensively studied. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of 8-week concurrent exercise training on cardiometabolic health and the utility of CGM in assessing exercise-induced improvement in glycemic control among healthy sedentary adults. METHODS: Twenty (9 males; 11 females) adults (age 28.5±5.4 years; body mass index (BMI) 26.5±5.1 kg/m2; fasting blood glucose (FBG) (93.0±17.6 mg/dL) participated in this study. …

What Are Active People Made Of? Identifying Key Biological Correlates Of Physical Activity In Nationally Representative Databases, Isaac R. Ramos, Pratik Patil, Ayland C. Letsinger

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Despite widespread awareness of the health benefits of physical activity, more than three-quarters of U.S. adults fail to meet national physical activity guidelines. Biological correlates may contribute to persistent differences in physical activity engagement beyond sociodemographic factors. PURPOSE: To identify biological correlates of physical activity levels in nationally representative U.S. adults. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2021-2023 cycle. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and was expressed as minutes per week of leisure time moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), with vigorous activity weighted by a …

Surviving The Cure: Modeling The Long-Term Consequences Of Chemotherapy, Rachel R. Chiella, Jaden Wells, Sajedeh B. Tabrizi, Savannah V. Rauschendorfer, Cory Dungan, Michael P. Wiggs

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Due to advances in treatment protocols, survival rates for childhood cancers have improved significantly over the past several decades, with five-year survival now reaching 85%. However, survivorship often comes at a cost, as exposure to intensive chemotherapy impairs skeletal muscle health, reducing quality of life and increasing the risk of early mortality. The CHOP regimen, comprising cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, is a backbone combination used in the treatment of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Previous data from our lab demonstrates that CHOP causes acute and reductions in growth and muscle size in juvenile mice, yet data on long-term outcomes remain limited. …

Regulation Of Autophagy-Mediated Pathways By Diet, Physical Activity, And Sleep In Alzheimer's Disease, Ajish Ariyath, Zoe Mputhia, Christopher Dougherty, Bushra Kaleelur Rahuman, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando, Belinda Brown, Samantha L. Gardener, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph Martins, Prashant Bharadwaj

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, age-related, neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline, memory loss, and accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles. A key feature of AD is impaired protein homeostasis, often driven by autophagy dysfunction. Autophagy, a cellular degradation and recycling process, plays a vital role in maintaining neuronal health and is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic target in AD. Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and sleep can positively influence autophagy and support cognitive function. Intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) activate autophagy and promote longevity; physical activity enhances cerebral blood flow and …