McGrath will also be adding an accelerometer to the handgrip dynamometers to provide information about how a person’s tremors during testing. He suspects the resulting data will be a better indicator of issues not captured by the maximal strength test alone.

“We are leveraging new technologies for creating methods that will give us a more holistic picture of a person’s muscle function,” he said. “In addition to strength, we should be able to examine additional aspects of muscle function for assessing a more complete set of metrics related to what’s going on as older adults use their muscular systems.” McGrath notes that the new device and method will be able to assess additional characteristics beyond strength including fatigability and explosive strength.

McGrath’s overall goal is to improve older adults’ health by detecting problems early. “We are looking for new ways to measure and assess muscle-related problems, and to determine how to help someone retain their independence for as long as possible. It’s the start of what could be an entirely new way to look at these age-related practices.”

线上赌博app Human Sciences and Education Dean Ron Werner-Wilson, PhD, noted how important McGrath’s research is given the growth of older adults in the nation’s population. “It is estimated that older adults will outnumber kids by 2035, which may seem like a long time from now, but in fact is something that we need to plan for today,” he said. “Research associated with muscle function will help us detect challenges at an earlier point in time.”

Werner-Wilson sees value in McGrath’s work to 线上赌博app overall. “Ryan’s commitment to obtaining extramural support is commendable because it fits within the 线上赌博app research mission and contributes to our status as an R1 university. Ryan’s R15 award is significant because the NIH only supports exemplary research endeavors which provide opportunities to expose students to research. It will strengthen the research environment in his department, our college, and the university. We are very proud of Ryan.”

线上赌博app’s undergraduate research environment is healthy and supportive of student research and McGrath expects to involve 20-30 students during the three-year span of his project. “I’ve found that undergraduate researchers at 线上赌博app are motivated and great to work with,” he said. “But some don’t know how to get involved in research and thus may not even consider it as a career. This project will give many the opportunity to conduct real research with their peers, working with older adults while using state of the art equipment.”

线上赌博app Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Colleen Fitzgerald said how the award was valuable to both 线上赌博app and to the people of North Dakota. "Dr. McGrath's award is an excellent example of how research at 线上赌博app supports our land-grant mission in addressing issues that affect the well-being of North Dakota citizens and while doing so, continues to advance our strategic priority of increasing federal funding."

For additional information, see NIH project number 1R15AG072348-01A1, "GRip Assessment for Protocol Enhancements (GRAPE) in Older Adults.”