Novel Respiratory Muscle Training for Improving Cerebrovascular Function and Immune Status in Adults with Obesity
Description: Obesity, a growing global epidemic in America, is linked to cerebrovascular dysfunction and increases the risk of stroke, the nation's fourth leading cause of death. Cerebrovascular dysfunction is defined by impaired cerebrovascular reactivity and reduced cerebral autoregulation. Inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) has proven to be a time-efficient, effective, low-cost, and highly feasible intervention for improving peripheral vascular function. Given the link between the peripheral vasculature and cerebrovasculature systems, it is highly plausible that IMST may improve cerebrovascular function. There is emerging data showing that in adults with elevated blood pressure that IMST improves cerebrovascular function. Thus, the study team will examine whether 8 weeks of IMST improves cerebrovascular function in otherwise healthy young adults with obesity. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that IMST will favorably increase cerebrovascular reactivity and improve cerebral autoregulation. Obesity induced cerebrovascular dysfunction may be driven by chronic low-grade inflammation resulting from excessive sympathetic signaling. Additionally, inflammation is associated with reduced immune function. In adults with obesity, the systemic immune-inflammation index is elevated and positively associated with all-cause mortality. Emerging studies show IMST has the potential to reduce sympathetic activity and improve inflammation status. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that IMST will reduce inflammation and improve immune function in otherwise healthy young adults with obesity. We hypothesize that IMST will improve cerebrovascular reactivity and autoregulation, suggesting improved cerebrovascular health. Additionally, IMST will reduce systemic immune-inflammation index and improve immune function in otherwise healthy young adults with obesity. This project explores the potential of IMST as a time-efficient and cost-effective intervention to improve cerebrovascular function and mitigate inflammation-related immune dysfunction in adults with obesity, potentially enhancing healthspan and lifespan. These findings could inform public health initiatives targeting approximately 40% of American adults with obesity, improving overall cerebrovascular function in the short term for adults with obesity, and reducing stroke incidence later in life.
Funder: American Heart Association
Amount: $70,680
Funding type: training
Funder scheme: Predoctoral Fellowship
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Investigators: Thomas Bissen, Thomas Bissen
Institution: Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 26PRE1549557
OpenAlex ID: G2872203102