Wayne Greenway came to McMaster in a bid to stay out of a long-term care home. 

The 69-year-old was getting weaker and didn’t know why. Greenway worried what would happen to his quality of life if he kept losing strength at what felt like an accelerated clip – would climbing the stairs to his apartment, carrying groceries home from the store or just getting out of bed in the morning become impossible?  

And then came three hard falls that didn’t break any bones but left Greenway badly shaken. His doctor made the diagnosis of sarcopenia – a common age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength that had arrived ahead of schedule for Greenway. He was told he’d wind up in a long term care home if he did nothing. 

“Snooze and I’d lose my independence,” says Greenway. “I needed to stay strong to slow my sarcopenia.” 

He started working out a neighbourhood gym to build back muscle and regain strength. But Greenway didn’t know what equipment to use or how hard to push himself during his workouts. He kept getting injured, with sprains and strains that left him discouraged and laid out on the couch at home.   

Greenway reached out to his personal and professional networks for advice. More than a few people told Greenway to hire a personal trainer. Having someone put together an exercise routine and supervise his workouts sounded great, but the cost was prohibitive.  

Greenway connected with McMaster’s Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, and learned about the MiCol – milk versus collagen – study. It was being led by PhD students Tom Janssen and Caroline Lowisz in the Protein Metabolism Research Lab, under the supervisor of Stuart Phillips, a kinesiology professor and Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health. 

The three-month study aimed to show whether collagen or whey protein does a better job of building muscle and strength at an older age while performing a lighter weight training protocol. The study also aimed to improve the research participants’ physical function. 

“It’s like the study was designed specifically for me,” says Greenway. There were six-hour measurement days at the start and end of the study, plus muscle biopsies. He’d spend three days a week working out at PACE under the close supervision of student volunteers from the research lab – no more being waylaid by injuries. He’d also get a free supply of protein supplements. “And I’d do my part to help advance science.” 

Greenway signed up and was admitted into the study. When it wrapped up in April, Greenway continued his workout routine, with resistance exercises three days a week at the Pulse Fitness Centre at McMaster. He’s also worked more protein into his daily diet. 

“Words can’t even begin to express the depth of my gratitude,” Greenway says about the study and the team of researchers and students. “The results have been life changing.” He now walks faster, climbs stairs with ease and hasn’t fallen once since he started working out at PACE and the Pulse. Above all, the study restored his confidence and cemented regular exercise as a lifelong habit. 

“The study provided exactly the right structure and expertise when I needed it the most. Tom and Caroline aren’t only advancing science – they’re transforming lives, mine included.” 

Greenway was far more than just a participant in their research study, says Lowisz. “He was a driven individual, a warm presence and a valued mentor to our student volunteers. Wayne’s enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to a healthier life – and encouraging others to do the same – captured exactly what this research is all about. Helping individuals like Wayne live fuller, healthier lives is the true heart of our work.” 

Janssen says his initial focus was on how the study would move science forward. But then he watched Greenway and the other participants working out at PACE. “A switch flipped. Instead of being numbers in a spreadsheet, they became real people with stories and struggles, hopes and dreams. That opened my eyes to what our study – and exercising in general – can add to people’s lives. Their physical health improved and so did their mental health – that was something I’d underestimated.” 

Greenway was the ideal research participant, says Janssen. “Wayne was cautious at the start but also curious and hopeful. We could see him getting stronger after just a few weeks of training. He’d show up at PACE with the biggest smile on his face. Everyone who worked with Wayne is incredibly honoured to have been a part of his amazing journey.” 

That journey will include a 5K race at the annual Toronto Island Run on Sept. 7. Greenway used to be a runner and he can already jog for two kilometres without needing a break. He likely won’t be the first to cross the finish line, but there won’t be anyone else on Centre Island with a bigger smile or an entire team of researchers back at McMaster cheering them on.