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Dynamic imaging to guide wearable robotic intervention for enhanced mobility in aging

Award Number: R01AG058615
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

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Dynamic imaging to guide wearable robotic intervention for enhanced mobility in aging - ABSTRACT Older adults walk slower and with higher metabolic energy cost than younger adults, changes that reduce independence and quality of life. These functional impairments stem from precipitous reductions in ankle push- off power output that cannot be improved by conventional strength training. Growing evidence reveals that muscle activation patterns tuned to underlying triceps surae (TS) muscle-tendon structural properties facilitate an effective burst of ankle power output during push-off. This study addresses two key questions: (1) Do age- related changes in series-elastic Achilles tendon (AT) structural properties (i.e., stiffness, kT) disrupt the tuned neuromechanical function of the TS with cascading metabolic penalties? and (2) Can donning elastic exoskeletons in parallel with biological TS muscle-tendons alter structural stiffness and improve the neuromechanics and energy cost of walking in older adults? Specific Aim 1 will quantify how aging effects activation-dependent tuning of triceps surae muscle-Achilles tendon interaction dynamics. Using controlled loads on a dynomometer and physiological loads during treadmill walking, we will couple advanced, dual-probe cine ultrasound imaging of TS muscle fascicles and localized AT tissue with novel electromyographic biofeedback to assess individual contributions of muscle versus tendon (kM and kT) to overall TS muscle-tendon stiffness (kMT) over a full landscape of muscle activation. Combined with metabolic measurements, we will test the hypotheses that (1A) older adults have a more complaint AT (i.e., lower kT) than young adults and thus, (1Bi) in isolated muscle contractions at prescribed TS muscle activations, older adults operate at shorter TS muscle fascicle lengths, and (1Bii) during walking at matched speeds, in an attempt to maintain overall kMT, older adults increase TS muscle stiffness (i.e., higher kM) by shifting to higher activations with shorter fascicle lengths than young adults -- with energetic implications at the (1) individual TS muscle (force per unit activation) and (b) whole- body (walking economy) levels. Specific Aim 2 will determine how elastic ankle exoskeletons alter the neuromechanics and energetics of walking in older adults – from whole-body to individual muscles. Using a novel ankle exoskeleton emulator we will apply a range of exo-tendons (kEXO) in parallel with the TS muscle- tendon (kMT) while older adults walk at a fixed treadmill speed. We will test the hypotheses that (2A) older adults using elastic ankle exoskeletons will demonstrate reduced TS muscle activation and longer TS muscle fascicle operating lengths, and (2B) for older adults, the kEXO that most closely normalizes TS muscle-tendon stiffness (kMT) to that of their size-matched, young counterparts will yield the most youthful walking performance, evidenced by: (i) largest increase in ankle push-off power output and (ii) largest reduction in metabolic energy cost. Ultimately, this work will establish a framework for using ultrasound imaging to guide optimal prescription of assistive devices that can effectively modify the structure of the ankle triceps surae muscle-tendons to improve locomotor function in aging – an outcome that will have significant positive impact on quality of life for millions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$5,942 )
2025	2022	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	5	7/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$5,942
														Subtotal = -$5,942

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	5	4/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $324,843 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	5	4/18/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$324,843
														Subtotal = $324,843

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $401,209 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	4	5/6/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$401,209
														Subtotal = $401,209

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $382,170 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	001	3	9/16/2020	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$57,327
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	3	4/20/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$324,843
														Subtotal = $382,170

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $324,843 )
2019	2019	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	2	4/24/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$324,843
														Subtotal = $324,843

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $324,843 )
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	001	1	8/30/2018	NEW	$15,108
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	1	7/25/2018	NEW	$309,735
														Subtotal = $324,843

Grand Total All Awards = $1,751,966

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Dynamic imaging to guide wearable robotic intervention for enhanced mobility in aging

Award Number: R01AG058615

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

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