Development Of A Novel Intervention For Training Stepping Ability To Reduce The Risk Of Falls In Older Adults.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,393.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will first modify and validate an interactive system for training stepping ability in older adults. The system will be also provide the capability of acquiring indeices of stepping ability in the home. We will investigate the effect of an in-home training program using this system on stepping ability and falls risk. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
Impaired Stepping As A Risk Factor For Falls In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,727.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will investigate stepping responses as a risk factor for falls. Complementary studies of physiological and psychological contributions to stepping will also be conducted. A path model will be used to examine the relative importance of physiological, psychological and behvioural factors. An exercise program to imrpove stepping responses will be trialed. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
A reduced capacity to recover balance following an imbalance episode contributes to the high incidence of falls in older adults. The goal of the present study is to determine how age-related differences in lower extremity neuromuscular and biomechanical properties are related to balance recovery capacity and falls incidence. A detailed understanding of this relationship is necessary for the development of efficacious exercise-based interventions for the prevention of falls.
The Role Of Notch Signalling In Muscular Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,878.00
Summary
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy, caused by a lack of a protein called dystrophin. Dystrophic muscles are fragile, prone to injury, and have a compromised ability to regenerate after damage. Defective Notch signalling has been implicated in the poor regenerative response of aged muscles and similarly in dystrophy based on our preliminary data. Modulating Notch signalling could therefore delay the onset or slow the progression of DMD.
The Effect Of Loading On The Size, Shape And Strength Of Cortical Bone During Different Stages Of Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the break ....Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the breaking strength of bones. However changes in the shape of bones can also affect bone strength with or without an increase in bone density. Changes in bone shape in response to exercise in children or adults have rarely been investigated, and little is known about the effects of exercise on bone shape during different stages of growth. This study is the first to investigate how exercise during childhood may affect bone strength by changing bone shape. 45 elite female tennis players aged between 6 to 18 years have completed two years of this study. 90 novice and competitive male tennis players aged between 6 to 20 years and 60 healthy age matched controls will be asked to participate in this study. Measurements will be made annually for three years. The bone shape and density of the dominant and non-dominant arms of the players will be compared with the children who don't play tennis - comparisons will also be made between i) different stages of puberty and ii) girls and boys. The findings of this study are important because the lifestyle of children today may predispose them to a greater risk of osteoporosis late in life. Physical activity may be the most important modifiable protective factor against fragile bones in old age. The findings of this study will be the first to provide insight into whether there is a unique time during growth when exercise will result in the greatest increase in bone strength by changing bone shape.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Dysferlin In Muscular Dystrophy And Skeletal Muscle Membrane Repair.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,667.00
Summary
Patients who lack the protein dysferlin have muscular dystrophy. These patients are unable to repair their muscle membranes, which get damaged during normal activities. A defect in membrane repair is a new pathway implicated in the muscular dystrophies, and it is likely that other patients will also have defective muscle membrane repair. We will find out how dysferlin mediates its role in membrane repair, and identify other dysferlin-interacting proteins, as these may also underlie disease.
Targeting The TGF-beta Signalling Pathway To Improve Muscle Growth And Development In Muscular Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,878.00
Summary
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. Dystrophic muscles are fragile, prone to injury, and do not regenerate well after injury. Modulating cell signalling pathways that are involved in muscle growth has the potential to attenuate the severity of the dystrophic pathology, to delay the onset or slow the progression of the muscle wasting and weakness, and to improve muscle growth and development in muscular diseases.