The Effect of Exercise on T Cell Aging in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The project aims to understand how exercise benefits immune health in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, specifically focusing on T cell function, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, and markers of T cell aging. It involves three objectives for career development: 1) developing geroscience-specific competency in clinical aging research assessments; 2) acquiring skills in translational aging science statistical analysis; and 3) cultivating clinical-translational aging research leadership skills. The study will utilize data from an NIH-funded randomized, controlled trial to compare a remotely supervised caloric restriction and exercise training (CRET) program against lifestyle counseling for its effects on RA regulatory T cell function, metabolism, and T cell aging. An independent pilot study will also be conducted to assess the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of a remotely supervised high-intensity aerobic exercise training intervention to inform a future R01 randomized controlled trial.