Steven Prior

Aging, Exercise Training, Sarcopenia, Type 2 Diabetes

Aging and a sedentary lifestyle lead to changes in skeletal muscle and the vasculature that contribute to aging-associated diseases and disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, sarcopenia and declines in physical function. Dr. Prior's research is focused on conducting exercise intervention studies to determine mechanisms by which the risk for these aging-associated diseases may be reduced in older adults. His laboratory uses state of the art techniques to assess angiogenesis and skeletal muscle capillarization, as well as in vivo vascular function and glucose metabolism. The lab has also developed basic science and cell culture techniques to study the number and function of circulating factors that may contribute to improvements in angiogenesis, skeletal muscle, and physical function in older adults. Dr. Prior is currently funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs for his research examining mechanisms underlying sarcopenia and frailty in aging, and the effects of different exercise training interventions on angiogenesis, metabolism and physical function in these individuals.