# RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · VETERANS ADMIN PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYS · 2020 · —

## Abstract

The overarching goals of Dr. Myers' research program are to apply exercise therapy and lifestyle
intervention to help restore function, reduce disability, and reduce health care costs in Veterans with chronic
disease. These areas include diagnostic and prognostic applications of cardiopulmonary exercise testing,
and the physiologic effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in patients with chronic heart failure,
coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm disease, spinal cord injury, mild cognitive impairment,
and chronic renal failure. He is currently PI on two VA RR&D projects, one entitled, “PCI Alternative using
Sustained Exercise (PAUSE),” and the other entitled, “Exercise to Prevent Muscle Mass and Functional
Loss in Elderly Dialysis Patients (PERFECT).” The PAUSE project extends his work on the clinical
applications of rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the
leading cause of mortality in Veterans, and in addition to assessing the physiologic effects of exercise and
lifestyle intervention as an alternative to invasive treatment of coronary artery disease, the study addresses
the cost effectiveness of non-invasive (lifestyle intervention) vs. invasive (coronary stenting) strategies. The
PERFECT trial focuses on the effects of exercise therapy on muscle mass and function in chronic renal
failure. Renal failure is an important condition in the VA because of its cost (estimated to be the second
most costly condition in the VA), its prevalence (estimated to be 34% higher than the general population),
and its devastating effects on physical function and disability. Dr. Myers current work also includes three
funded projects involving the effects of exercise therapy in patients with mild cognitive impairment. These
studies are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise augmentation strategies along with cognitive
training interventions to improve cognitive performance in older Veterans with mild cognitive impairment.
Dr. Myers initiated and manages a relational database of clinical, angiographic, and exercise test responses
dating back to 1987. This database has been a resource for answering many epidemiologic questions
affecting Veterans (termed the Veterans Exercise Testing Study, or VETS). The VETS study is an ongoing,
prospective evaluation of Veteran subjects referred for exercise testing for clinical reasons, designed to
address exercise test, clinical, and lifestyle factors and their association with health outcomes. Studies from
the VETS cohort have addressed the prevalence, temporal trends, and health care costs associated with
statin use, obesity, chronic heart failure, cardiac rhythm abnormalities and other chronic conditions, and how
these conditions are influenced by fitness and physical activity patterns. Analyses from the VETS cohort
have influenced guidelines on exercise testing from major health organizations. He coordinates two other
national data bases, ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9820693
- **Project number:** 5IK6RX002477-04
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS ADMIN PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYS
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan N. Myers
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-10-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9820693

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9820693, RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application (5IK6RX002477-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9820693. Licensed CC0.

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