Vascular Aging and Exercise Laboratory
Description of Research
Our research focuses on age-related alterations in the control of skeletal muscle blood flow, its role in cardiovascular regulation during exercise, and how these changes impact the health and functioning of older women and men. These studies are conducted at University Park and at Hershey Medical Center in collaboration with physician scientists at the Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute.
Research Team
Sam Ridout, Steven Tucker, and David Proctor.
Director: David N. Proctor
Study Coordinator: Sandy L. Smithmyer
Postdoctoral Fellows: Matthew A. Barlow, Joaquin U. Gonzales
Graduate Students: Julie Miedlar, Samuel J. Ridout
Research Study Assistant: Martha Kalasky
Undergraduate Students: Matt Noll, Sarah Smith, Steven Tucker
Recent Publications
- Parker BA, Smithmyer SL, Ridout SJ, Ray CA, Proctor DN. Age and microvascular responses to knee extensor exercise in women. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2008 Jun;103(3):343-51.
- Parker BA, Smithmyer SL, Pelberg JA, Mishkin AD, Proctor DN. Sex-specific influence of aging on exercising leg blood flow. J Appl Physiol. 2008 Mar;104(3):655-64.
- Parker BA, Smithmyer SL, Proctor DN. Hormone therapy is associated with preserved smooth muscle structure and dilation in the arterial vasculature of the leg in older women. Maturitas. 2008 Jan 20;59(1):46-54.
- Parker BA, Smithmyer SL, Pelberg JA, Mishkin AD, Herr MD, Proctor DN. Sex differences in leg vasodilation during graded knee extensor exercise in young adults. J Appl Physiol. 2007 Nov;103(5):1583-91.
- Proctor DN, Fauth EB, Hoffman L, Hofer SM, McClearn GE, Berg S, Johansson B. Longitudinal changes in physical functional performance among the oldest old: insight from a study of Swedish twins. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2006 Dec;18(6):517-30.
- Parker BA, Smithmyer SL, Jarvis SS, Ridout SJ, Pawelczyk JA, Proctor DN. Evidence for reduced sympatholysis in leg resistance vasculature of healthy older women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2007 Feb;292(2):H1148-56. Epub 2006 Oct 27.
- Proctor DN, Newcomer SC. Is there a difference in vascular reactivity of the arms and legs? Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 Oct;38(10):1819-28. Review.
- Parker BA, Ridout SJ, Proctor DN. Age and flow-mediated dilation: a comparison of dilatory responsiveness in the brachial and popliteal arteries. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2006 Dec;291(6):H3043-9.
- Proctor DN, Parker BA. Vasodilation and vascular control in contracting muscle of the aging human. Microcirculation. 2006 Jun;13(4):315-27. Review.
Current Funding
- National Institute on Aging, RO1 AG-018246 2005-2010
- National Institute on Aging, RO1 AG-018246 Supplement 1 2008-2010
- National Institute on Aging, RO1 AG-018246 Supplement 2 2008-2010
Current Projects
