Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

The Electron Transport Chain

The Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain or oxidative phosphorylation is an exothermic process in which free energy released during electron transfer reactions is coupled to ATP synthesis. This process is a significant source of energy in aerobic cells, and therefore inhibitors of the electron transport chain can be detrimental to the cell's metabolic processes.
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q in...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective response...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

In vivo mitochondrial ATP production is improved in older adult skeletal muscle after a single dose of elamipretide in a randomized trial.

PloS one·2021

Same author

Astaxanthin supplementation enhances metabolic adaptation with aerobic training in the elderly.

Physiological reports·2021

Same author

SS-31 and NMN: Two paths to improve metabolism and function in aged hearts.

Aging cell·2020

Same author

Paucity of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Burn Survivors.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation·2020

Same author

Geographic Variation in Outcomes After Burn Injury: A Burn Model System National Database Study.

Annals of plastic surgery·2020

Same author

A scoping review of burn rehabilitation publications incorporating functional outcomes.

Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry

Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry

Published on: October 4, 2024

Exercise efficiency is reduced by mitochondrial uncoupling in the elderly.

Kevin E Conley¹, Sharon A Jubrias, M Elaine Cress

¹Department of Radiology, Box 357115, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195-7115, USA. kconley@u.washington.edu

Experimental Physiology

|October 23, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Aging reduces exercise efficiency in humans. This study found that decreased mitochondrial-coupling efficiency, not contractile-coupling efficiency, is a primary driver of this decline in older adults, impacting exercise performance.

More Related Videos

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Published on: July 5, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry

Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry

Published on: October 4, 2024

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Published on: July 5, 2017

Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Aging Research
Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

Exercise efficiency declines with human aging.
Understanding the underlying mechanisms, specifically contractile and mitochondrial coupling, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of reduced contractile-coupling and mitochondrial-coupling efficiencies on exercise efficiency in the elderly.
To identify the primary cause of decreased exercise performance with age.

Main Methods:

Compared adults and elderly subjects using cycle ergometer tests to measure oxygen uptake and power output.
Utilized 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine in vivo ATP generation capacity.
Calculated contractile-coupling efficiency (εC) and mitochondrial-coupling efficiency (εD/εC).

Main Results:

Elderly subjects showed reduced delta efficiency (εD) compared to adults.
Contractile-coupling efficiency (εC) remained unchanged with age.
Mitochondrial-coupling efficiency significantly decreased in the elderly group, confirmed by two independent methods.

Conclusions:

Reduced mitochondrial-coupling efficiency is a key factor in the age-related decline in exercise efficiency.
This mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute significantly to the loss of exercise performance in older individuals.