A hallmark of aging is an impaired ability to adequately recover following a stressor, such
as muscle disuse, resulting in muscle fibrosis and weakness thereby increasing the risk for
falls and loss of independence. Mechanistic-based therapeutic strategies to enhance muscle
recovery in older adults do not exist. Metformin has been implicated to have positive effects
on muscle size and function through non-glycemic mechanisms. Metformin has been shown to
enhance macrophage function and lessen cellular senescence burden by targeting SASP in a
variety of muscle interstitial cells. However, the role of metformin to improve muscle
recovery in older adults following disuse atrophy through immunomodulating and senomorphic
mechanisms have not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct a
randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in older adult participants to
determine if short-term metformin delivery (vs placebo) during the recovery phase following
disuse atrophy can improve muscle regrowth.