Brian Dalton

The fastest growing age group in Canada is comprised of those 65 years of age and this population is expected to double within the next 25 years. With natural adult aging, muscles and nerves of the human body undergo degenerative changes that are characterized by reductions in strength due to the loss of muscle mass. The results of this ongoing process lead to muscle weakness and an overall decline in function, which is highly linked to physical disabilities, risk of falls, quality of life, and ultimately, mortality. However, to date, much focus has been placed on age-related diseases (e.g. cancer, heart disease) and little is known about the biological mechanisms of natural aging.

Using neurophysiological techniques (e.g. electromyography, microneurography), Dr. Brian Dalton’s research focus is on how natural aging alters the control of muscles critical for activities of daily living and the nerves that supply them. The long term goal of his research agenda is to determine how factors associated with adult aging may impair muscle function, and hence, performance during activities such as standing balance. Currently his post-doctoral fellowship is funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Affiliation

University: University of British Columbia
Department: School of Kinesiology
Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Recent Publications

Dalton BH, Power GA, Allen MD, Vandervoort AA, Rice CL. The genu effect on plantar flexor power. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print] (PubMed abstract)

Dalton BH, Power GA, Vandervoort AA, Rice CL. The age-related slowing of voluntary shortening velocity exacerbates power loss during repeated fast knee extensions. Exp Gerontol. 2012 Jan;47(1):85-92. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2011.10.010. Epub 2011 Nov 4. (PubMed abstract)

Dalton BH, Power GA, Vandervoort AA, Rice CL. Power loss is greater in old men than young men during fast plantar flexion contractions. J Appl Physiol. 2010 Nov;109(5):1441-7. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00335.2010. Epub 2010 Sep 9. (PubMed abstract)

Power GA, Dalton BH, Rice CL, Vandervoort AA. Delayed recovery of velocity-dependent power loss following eccentric actions of the ankle dorsiflexors. J Appl Physiol. 2010 Sep;109(3):669-76. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01254.2009. Epub 2010 Jun 24. (PubMed abstract)

Dalton BH, McNeil CJ, Doherty TJ, Rice CL. Age-related reductions in the estimated numbers of motor units are minimal in the human soleus. Muscle Nerve. 2008 Sep;38(3):1108-15. doi: 10.1002/mus.20984. (PubMed abstract)