Ultrasound for Healthy Aging

The general approach and study design is that the investigators will recruit 20 healthy older adults (equal numbers of men and women) for the first phase. 10 participants will be randomized to the ultrasound group and 10 will be randomized to the control group. Participants will be stratified by gender and ten randomized to treatment arms. Prior to beginning the intervention, each participant will be tested for muscle function, cognitive function, blood samples will be used to assess immune aging function, and body composition. Each participant will then sit in a bathtub which has been fitted with an ultrasound device which produces low frequency sound waves within the water. The sound waves are undetectable by someone sitting in the tub. The ultrasound intervention group will receive ultrasound for 45 minutes, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The control group will sit in the same tub for 45 minutes, 3 times per week for 8 weeks but without the ultrasound being turned on. At the end of the 8 weeks, post-testing for muscle, cognitive, immune aging function, and body composition will be performed again.