Clinical Interventions in Aging

Understanding Physical Functioning in Older Adults – New Approaches and Novel Interventions

As older adults age, physical function declines. However, age-related decline happens at different rates for different individuals. Understanding risk factors for physical decline and mechanisms underlying this age-related decline is critical so that targeted interventions can be developed to prevent mobility disability. There is interest in understanding the biologic factors related to mobility decline, and how those relate to other functional capacities, especially cognitive. The contribution of sensory information to mobility function is increasingly appreciated. Multimorbidity and frailty are also significant factors influencing physical function in older adults. Systems-level factors, such as social determinants of health, can also impact risk for mobility disability.

Maintaining physical function is an important component of healthy aging that impacts older adults’ quality of life, their ability to remain independent, and their overall health. New approaches are needed to examine the multifactorial mechanisms influencing age-related physical decline on both an individual and systems-level. Novel interventions to prevent mobility disability or improve physical functioning can make a significant impact on not only physical health but overall well-being.

This Collection will accept original research, review articles, short reports, expert opinion, and clinical trial reports that cover a range of topics on physical function in older adults. Articles can discuss individual level and systems-level factors that increase risk for physical dysfunction or mobility disability, explore the geroscience hypothesis as it relates to mobility decline, and identify biochemical pathways and novel targets to prevent sarcopenia. The connection of mobility with other systems, such as sensory or cognitive, in older adults is of interest. In addition, both clinical trials and small pilots that test new interventions are welcome.

Dr. Atalie C. Thompson, MD, MPH is a clinician scientist and board certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in glaucoma whose research focuses on the relationship of the visual system to aging and novel methods for early detection of age-related eye diseases. She completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard College, received a fellowship to complete a masters degree in public health from University of California, Berkeley, and received her medical degree from Stanford Medical School. She finished her residency, clinical fellowship in glaucoma and a research fellowship at Duke University Eye Center. She has received funding from the National Insitutes of Health, American Glaucoma Society, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the OAIC Pepper Center. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Ophthalmology at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and has a co-appointment in Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisors for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 Jul 2025.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code OSNOK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Please contact the Sam Zhang at sam.zhang@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries and discounts regarding this Article Collection.