Time Course Adaptations Using Deuterated Creatine (D3Cr) Method

Inclusion Criteria

• men and women aged 70 or greater
• at high risk for mobility disability based on lower extremity functional limitations measured by Short Physical Performance battery (SPPB) with a score ≤ 8 out of 12
• could safely participate in the resistance training intervention as determined by medical history and physical examination.
• willing to give informed consent to be randomized to either the resistance training group or successful aging heath education comparison group and willing to follow the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina
• Myocardial infarction, major heart surgery, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolus in the past 6 months
• Lung disease requiring either oral or injected steroids, or the use of supplemental oxygen
• Short, portable mental status questionnaire with 3 or more errors
• Severe arthritis (either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) that severely limits mobility
• Severe lower back or shoulder pain that can worsen with weight lifting exercises.
• Cancer requiring treatment in the past 1 year (Melanomas excluded)
• Any present or recent history of severe psychiatric illness including depression that might preclude providing informed consent, safe participation, or compliance (self-report and investigator judgement
• Development of chest pain or severe shortness of breath on the 400 m self-paced walk test
• Parkinson's disease or other serious neurological disorders; renal disease requiring dialysis; other illness of such severity that life expectancy is considered to be less than 12 months
• Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder
• Current consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg)
• Currently on testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or anabolic steroids.
• Undergoing physical therapy involving the lower extremities
• Currently enrolled in another randomized trial involving a pharmaceutical or lifestyle intervention. Observational studies are permitted
• Participation in progressive resistance exercise regimen ( ≥1 day/week) within the previous 6 months prior to screening.
• Weight change (intentional or not) over the last 6 months of > 5% of body or plan to lose or gain weight during the study
• Any other cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, or other conditions that in the opinion of the local clinician would preclude participation and successful completion of the protocol

Temporary Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent bacterial/viral infection (e.g. pneumonia) ( 200 mm Hg, DBP > 110 mm Hg
• Major surgery or fracture or hip/knee replacement (< 6 months);
• Hospitalization within the last 6 months ( Not ER visits)