PBMC respiration, fat use and physical performance in older adults
In 50 healthy older adults, higher routine respiration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was associated with more fat-dominant substrate use during submaximal walking, greater strength and faster gait. This is an association, not proof of cause. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study examined 50 community-dwelling healthy older adults (22 men, 28 women; age 70 ± 4 years) and asked whether PBMC respiratory capacity is associated with substrate use during submaximal exercise, muscle strength and physical function. [1]
Higher routine PBMC respiration correlated with lower RER, higher fat utilization, grip strength and gait speed; adjusted regressions confirmed associations with greater fat oxidation, lower RER and higher gait speed. [1]
In cluster analysis, the low-respiration group showed lower countermovement jump height and quadriceps strength than the high-respiration group. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional observational study (abstract).
- Population / context
- 50 community-dwelling healthy older adults (22 men, 28 women; age 70 ± 4 years).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Question in 50 community-dwelling older adults
The study asked whether the respiratory capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is associated with substrate use during submaximal exercise, muscle strength and physical function in healthy older adults. PBMC respiration was measured as a minimally invasive marker of systemic energy metabolism. Metabolic flexibility was defined as a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and higher relative fat oxidation at a fixed workload.
Supporting source [1]
Fat use, grip strength and gait speed correlations
Fifty participants (22 men, 28 women; age 70 ± 4 years) were examined. Higher routine respiration correlated with lower RER (rho = -0.335), higher fat utilization (rho = -0.334), grip strength (rho = 0.302) and gait speed (rho = 0.324). Adjusted regressions confirmed associations with greater fat oxidation, lower RER and higher gait speed. Similar associations appeared for ATP-linked respiration. Cluster analysis found high- and low-respiration groups; the low group showed lower countermovement jump height and quadriceps strength.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional design limits causal reading
This was a cross-sectional study of 50 healthy older adults, so it shows associations at one time point, not that respiration causes strength or performance. Regressions were adjusted for age, sex, skeletal muscle index, physical activity and high-sensitive C-reactive protein. The abstract reports no follow-up period. The authors describe PBMC respiration as possibly reflecting systemic bioenergetic status relevant to exercise substrate use and physical performance in ageing.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a cross-sectional study of 50 healthy older adults, so associations are not causal and no follow-up is reported.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Li D, Herpich C, Bishop C, Aleithe M, Peil A, Krüger N, Felsner J, Göger L, Kleinert M, Norman K. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026