We’re thrilled to share that our work has been spotlighted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in their “The Faces of Health Research 2025” series. Our feature highlights the OPTIMAL Fitness study—a CIHR-funded initiative led by Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou and the Geras Centre for Aging Research—to improve strength, confidence, and independence among older adults living with frailty and sarcopenia.
Key Highlights of the OPTIMAL Fitness Study
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Comprehensive Intervention: Combined supervised exercise classes, tailored home workouts, nutrition counselling, and a pharmacist-led medication review to address multiple dimensions of frailty
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Rigorous Design: Randomized more than 300 participants aged 65+ across three groups:
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Control: Vitamin D only
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Exercise: Group exercise and home program
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Integrated: Exercise + protein supplementation + medication review
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Meaningful Outcomes: Participants in the integrated arm reported feeling “more light, more energetic” and “generally more hopeful” about pushing personal limits
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Community Reach: Delivered through YMCA sites in partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, demonstrating feasibility for real-world implementation.
Read the full feature on the CIHR website to learn more: Click Here
Thank you to CIHR for recognizing our team’s commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of older adults across Canada!
