October 4, 2022

Dr. Chris Sandberg and Dr. Sandra HunterMilwaukee – Dr. Sandra HunterProfessor of Exercise Science and Dr. Christopher SandbergAssistant Professor of Exercise Science, both in the Department of Exercise at Marquette University’s College of Health Sciences, has been awarded a $3.02 million R01 award from the National Institutes of Health on Aging to study the limitations of physical activity. Pre-diabetes.

People with pre-diabetes or type-2 diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, for which physical activity is key to prevention. To better understand what limits physical activity and task performance in people with diabetes, this study looks at factors that contribute to fatigue, fatigue, and other barriers to physical activity. The research is aimed at helping develop more effective exercise programs.

“Prediabetes affects about 90 million Americans, and both prediabetes and type-2 diabetes are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and are among the five leading causes of death worldwide,” Hunter said. .

Sundberg added, “Exercise is a cornerstone of cardiovascular risk management and is very effective in prediabetes, but people with prediabetes are limited by overexertion of the lower limbs during exercise. Limits exercise.

Researchers conducted their study with two objectives: The first objective studied blood flow and muscle oxygenation in the legs in response to dynamic fatigue exercise. The second objective of this study is to conduct a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction to improve fatigue and vascular function in people with diabetes.

“Drs. Hunter and Sundberg have brought together a strong team of colleagues from across campus to address a critical ancillary health problem facing people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. William Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Their expertise is uniquely suited to understanding the causes of fatigue in pre-diabetic patients and developing new training programs designed to overcome these challenges and promote positive cardiovascular health.”

Hunter and Sandberg are the principal investigators on the award and joined the investigators Dr. Carolyn SmithClinical Associate Professor of Exercise Science; Dr. Kathleen LukaszewiczClinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy; And Dr. Mehdi MaadooliatAssociate Professor of Mathematics and Statistical Science in the Klinger College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Michael Widlanski, professor of cardiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Dr. Shane Phillips, professor of physical medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago, are co-investigators on the study.

The National Health Research Project Grant (R01) is the first and oldest grant method used by the NIH. R01 provides support for health-related research and development based on NIH’s mission. R01s may be raised or requested by an investigator.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the Associate Director of University Relations in the Office of Marketing and Communications. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.