Do you ever wonder why your muscles don’t work the way they used to?

So do we!

 

You may be able to help our research team learn more about the properties of muscle tissue and how muscle contributes to mobility, fitness and walking speed.

 
 
 
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You may qualify for this study if you are:

  • at least 70 years old

  • able to attend visits at our clinic

  • willing to have an MRI

There are no medications or lifestyle changes involved in this study. You will be compensated for your time and effort. Transportation is available if needed. Find a Clinic Near You!

Why SOMMA?

Many adults in the United States see their muscles weaken and experience more problems walking as they age.  Nine million adults over the age of 65 cannot walk ¼ mile, or can only do so with great difficulty. Changes in muscle and our ability to move around can eventually contribute to social, psychological, and physical restraints that impact quality of life, increase health care costs and contribute to overall health decline.

SOMMA, or the Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging, is a large university research study that is taking place at two academic clinical centers at the University of Pittsburgh and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The main purpose of SOMMA is to understand how muscle changes as we age. We hope that this research project will help us understand why some people develop problems walking as they get older.