# High intensity interval training and nicotinamide riboside treatment to enhance functional capacity and reduce frailty during aging

> **NIH VA I01** · VA WESTERN NEW YORK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2022 · —

## Abstract

High intensity interval training and nicotinamide riboside treatment to enhance functional capacity
and reduce frailty during aging
 Frailty is a condition of poor physiological reserve that increases susceptibility to falls,
hospitalization, disability, and mortality. The incidence of frailty
increases after the age 65, growing from 10% to as many as 50%
of those 85 years or older; therefore over 9 million veterans are
either frail or at risk for frailty. Exercise has proven benefits for
frailty, yet older adults rarely attain the recommended
150 minutes a week of moderate intensity continuous exercise
(MICT), as lack of time and fear of injury are the most common
barriers. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as
an alternative as it can safely provide strength and endurance
benefits with lower time commitments than (MICT).
Additionally, exercise can boost nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, an essential co-enzyme for
mitochondrial and cellular function that declines with aging.
Supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NR) can also
increase NAD+, and both interventions are gaining support as a
therapeutic strategy for aging and related conditions such as
frailty. Therefore, the goals of this project are: 1) compare the
impacts of HIIT versus MICT on physical performance, frailty,
and lifespan, and 2) examine whether NR can augment the
benefits in response to HIIT or MICT.
HIIT ± nicotinamide riboside (NR)
reduces frailty during aging.
 The premise for this study is based upon our recently published study demonstrating that a
10 minute long, 3-days a week HIIT regimen enhances physical performance and reduces frailty in
aged mice 28 months of age (equivalent to a 65-80 year old human). The hypothesis of this proposal is
that HIIT exercise will reduce frailty and increase lifespan, in a manner that is superior to MICT, and
that these benefits will be enhanced with NR supplementation. To test this hypothesis, 24-month-old
mice will be given HIIT or MICT regimens until end of life to assess survival benefits, while also being
longitudinally assessed for improvement in physical performance and frailty. Next, in addition to HIIT
or MICT, aged mice will receive placebo or NR supplementation and examined at 28 months of age to
assess impacts upon muscle physiology, physical performance, and frailty. This study will provide a
clinical trial blueprint for successful implementation of HIIT and NR supplementation in humans, thus
permitting the development of personalized interventions that improve the quality of life of the aging
veteran population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10477288
- **Project number:** 5I01BX004369-04
- **Recipient organization:** VA WESTERN NEW YORK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Bruce R. Troen
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10477288

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10477288, High intensity interval training and nicotinamide riboside treatment to enhance functional capacity and reduce frailty during aging (5I01BX004369-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10477288. Licensed CC0.

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