Research summary
Most senior citizens would like to maintain an active lifestyle and an optimal quality of life for as long as possible. Deteriorating health can lead to emergency room visits, hospitalizations and safety issues. Despite medical advances, no treatment exists to prevent muscular decline with age. When this decline reaches a certain clinical level, it gives rise to sarcopenia (characterized by a gradual and generalized loss of muscular mass). We still have a poor understanding of the causes of this chronic problem.
As Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity to Improve Seniors’ Life/Care Trajectory, Dr. Mylène Aubertin-Leheudre is looking into this problem. Although the WHO considers exercise the best way to age well, this habit has not been taken up enough by people or in care settings. Aubertin-Leheudre and her research team will shed light on the physiological processes involved in muscle loss (age versus sedentariness) and put in place non-pharmacological, practical and solutions (such as exercise) to encourage healthy aging.