Dr Lara Vlietstra

2026

Journal - Research Article

Rodriguez de Sosa, G. M., Shera, A. L., Jimenez, E. Y., Patel, I. A., Greenwood-Erickson, M. B., Wilkins, K. D., Vlietstra, L., … Waters, D. L. (2026). Implementing ICOPE in New Mexico: A process-oriented approach to promoting healthy aging in older adults. Journal of Aging Research & Lifestyle, 15, 100034. doi: 10.1016/j.jarlif.2025.100034

Journal - Research Other

Dixon, W., Vlietstra, L., & Lyons, O. (2026). Sex-specific thresholds for determining low muscle mass. European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, 71(6), 1114-1115. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2025.07.055

2025

Journal - Research Article

Cabral, L. L. P., Meredith-Jones, K., Browne, R. A. V., Freire, Y. A., Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., … Costa, E. C. (2025). Associations of step counts and peak step cadence with DXA-derived total body, abdominal, and visceral fat in older adults. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2025.10.025

Gale, J. T., Peddie, M. C., Gerrard, D., Osborne, H., Russell-Camp, T., Waters, D. L., … Walker, X. J., & Vlietstra, L. (2025). 24-h movement patterns: Sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity of older retired Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes: An observational study. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 44(4), e70097. doi: 10.1111/ajag.70097

Murray, M., Vlietstra, L., Best, A. M. D., Sims, S. T., Loehr, J. A., & Rehrer, N. J. (2025). Post-exercise whey protein supplementation: Effects on of IGF-1, strength, and body composition in pre-menopausal women, a randomised controlled trial. Nutrients, 17, 2033. doi: 10.3390/nu17122033

Vlietstra, L., Fordyce, A., Costa, E. C., Coffey, S., Walker, X. J., Whalley, G. A., & Waters, D. L. (2025). Exercise interventions to improve physical frailty and physical frailty components in older adults with hypertension: A systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews, 107, 102714. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2025.102714

Finkler, W., Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., Zhu, L., Gallagher, S., Walker, R., Forlong, R., & van Heezik, Y. (2025). Virtual nature and well-being: Exploring the potential of 360° VR. Applied Psychology: Health & Well-Being, 17, e70008. doi: 10.1111/aphw.70008

Journal - Research Other

Vlietstra, L., Pōtiki Bryant, K., Hale, L., Dando, M., & Waters, D. L. (2025). Physical activity to prevent older adult falls: An Aotearoa New Zealand approach [Atividade física para prevenir quedas em idosos: Uma abordagem da Aotearoa Nova Zelândia]. Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde, 29, e0366. doi: 10.12820/rbafs.29e0366

2024

Journal - Research Article

Vlietstra, L., Meredith-Jones, K., de Lange, M., Guiney, H., & Waters, D. L. (2024). Identifying risk factors for pre-sarcopenia in early middle-age. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 105, 2309-2316. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.08.005

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peddie, M., Gale, J. T., Harland, M., Grenfell, S., Walker, X. J., Gerrard, D., Russell-Camp, T., Waters, D. L., & Vlietstra, L. (2024). Micronutrient intakes of former New Zealand representative athletes over the age of 60 years. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) 58th Annual Conference: Kotahitanga. (pp. 47). Retrieved from https://www.nsnzconference.co.nz/

Booth, T., Walker, X., Sole, G., Waters, D., & Vlietstra, L. (2024). Footwear and falls in older people. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 43(Suppl. 1), OR02. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13323

2023

Journal - Research Article

Cabral, L. L. P., Browne, R. A. V., Freire, Y. A., Silva, R. d. M., Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., … Costa, E. C. (2023). Association of daily step volume and intensity with cardiometabolic risk in older adults. Experimental Gerontology, 179, 112245. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112245

Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., Jones, L. M., Wilson, L., & Meredith-Jones, K. (2023). High-intensity interval aerobic and resistance training to counteract low relative lean soft tissue mass in middle age: A randomized controlled trial. Experimental Gerontology, 171, 111991. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111991

Journal - Research Other

Vlietstra, L. (2023). [Review of the book Healthy ageing and aged care, 2nd ed.]. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 42(2), 439. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13219

de Lucena Alves, C. P., de Almeida, S. B., Pessoa Lima, D., Neto, P. B., Miranda, A. L., Manini, T., Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., … Costa, E. C. (2023). Muscle quality in older adults: A scoping review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 24, 462-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.02.012

Vlietstra, L., Kirk, B., Duque, G., Qualls, C., Vellas, B., Andrieu, S., … Waters, D. L. (2023). Using minimal clinically important differences to measure long-term transitions of osteosarcopenia: The New Mexico Aging Process Study. Experimental Gerontology, 173, 112106. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112106

Zanker, J., Sim, M., Anderson, K., Balogun, S., Brennan-Olsen, S. L., Dent, E., … Vlietstra, L., … Waters, D. L., … Scott, D. (2023). The Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) sarcopenia diagnosis and management task force: Findings from the consumer expert Delphi process [Brief report]. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 42, 251-257. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13164

Zanker, J., Sim, M., Anderson, K., Balogun, S., Brennan-Olsen, S. L., Dent, E., … Vlietstra, L., … Waters, D. L., … Scott, D. (2023). Consensus guidelines for sarcopenia prevention, diagnosis and management in Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia & Muscle, 14, 142-156. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13115

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Finkler, W., Van Heezik, Y., Waters, D., Vlietstra, L., Zhu, L., Gallagher, S., Walker, R., & Forlong, R. (2023). Virtual nature for science marketing? A New Zealand pilot study on immersive 360° VR experiences for nature connectedness and wellbeing. Proceedings of the 17th International Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Conference. Retrieved from www.pcst2023.nl

Vlietstra, L., Waters, D., & Meredith-Jones, K. (2023). Longitudinal investigation of risk factors for pre-sarcopenia in mid-life. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(Suppl. 1), (pp. S96). doi: 10.1007/s12529-023-10200-2

Scoon, C., Walker, X. J., Gale, J. T., Gerrard, D., Peddie, M., Russell-Camp, T., Waters, D. L., Osborne, H., … Vlietstra, L. (2023). The physical function of retired elite athletes compared to the general population: A preliminary analysis. Journal of Sport & Exercise Science, 7(4), (pp. 134). doi: 10.36905/jses.2023.04.01

Woolf, L., Cotter, J., Hargreaves, E., & Vlietstra, L. (2023). Psychological and cardiovascular effects of physical activity indoors and outdoors, a cross-over trial. Journal of Sport & Exercise Science, 7(4), (pp. 129-130). doi: 10.36905/jses.2023.04.01

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Waters, D., Pōtiki Bryant, K., Taituha, K., Tararo-Ruhe, T., & Vlietstra, L. (2023, November). Tū Ora and Otago Falls Network: Engagement in falls research. Verbal presentation at the Australia & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society (ANZFP) & World Falls Congress Joint Conference, Perth, Australia.

2022

Journal - Research Article

Freire, Y. A., Cabral, L. L. P., Browne, R. A. V., Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., Duhamel, T. A., & Costa, E. C. (2022). Daily step volume and intensity moderate the association of sedentary time and cardiometabolic disease risk in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study. Experimental Gerontology, 170, 111989. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111989

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Finkler, W., Van Heezik, Y., Waters, D., Vlietstra, L., Zhu, L., Gallagher, S., Walker, R., & Forlong, R. (2022). Virtual nature for marketing? A New Zealand pilot study on immersive 360° VR experiences for nature connectedness and wellbeing. In P. Harrigan & G. Brush (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Conference: Reconnect and Reimagine. (pp. 648). Retrieved from https://anzmac.org

Davies, J., Waters, D., Hale, L., Vlietstra, L., & Pelicioni, P. (2022). Reliability of remote gait and balance assessment of people with Parkinson's disease. In K. Horne (Ed.), Proceedings of the 38th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 84). Retrieved from https://www.queenstownresearchweek.org

Davies, J. W. T., Waters, D. L., Hale, L., Vlietstra, L., & Pelicioni, P. H. S. (2022). Reliability of remote gait and balance assessment of people with Parkinson's disease. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1557), (pp. 102-103). Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Reynolds, A. N., Hodson, L., de Souza, R., Diep Pham, H. T., Vlietstra, L., & Mann, J. (2022). Saturated and trans fat intakes on mortality and non-communicable disease incidence: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Proceedings of the 45th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 27). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD22/welcome.html

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Reynolds, A. N., Hodson, L., de Souza, R., Diep Pham, H. T., Vlietstra, L., & Mann, J. (2022). Saturated fat and trans-fat intakes and their replacement with other macronutrients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. (pp. 1-154). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. [Technical/Scientific Report].

2021

Journal - Research Article

Meredith-Jones, K., Taylor, R., Brown, R., Cooke, R., Vlietstra, L., Manning, P., Poulton, R., & Haszard, J. (2021). Age- and sex-specific visceral fat reference cutoffs and their association with cardio-metabolic risk. International Journal of Obesity, 45, 808-817. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00743-3

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Vlietstra, L. (2021, October). Emerging research in ageing, possibilities and opportunities. Verbal presentation at the Hope Foundation for Research on Ageing Meeting, [Online].

Vlietstra, L. (2021, May). High-intensity interval aerobic resistance training to counteract pre-sarcopenia in middle age, a randomised controlled trial. Verbal presentation at the Asia Pacific Virtual Symposium on Sarcopenia and Frailty Research, [Online].

Other Research Output

Vlietstra, L. (2021, March). Screening and treating pre-sarcopenia in middle-aged adults. Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research Seminar, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Vlietstra, L. (2021). Screening and treating pre-sarcopenia in middle-aged adults (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12078

2020

Journal - Research Article

Hendrickx, W., Vlietstra, L., Valkenet, K., Wondergem, R., Veenhof, C., English, C., & Pisters, M. F. (2020). General lifestyle interventions on their own seem insufficient to improve the level of physical activity after stroke or TIA: A systematic review. BMC Neurology, 20, 168. doi: 10.1186/s12883-020-01730-3

Waters, D. L., Vlietstra, L., Qualls, C., Morley, J. E., & Vellas, B. (2020). Sex-specific muscle and metabolic biomarkers associated with gait speed and cognitive transitions in older adults: A 9-year follow-up. GeroScience, 42, 585-593. doi: 10.1007/s11357-020-00163-7

Journal - Research Other

Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., Jones, L. M., & Meredith-Jones, K. (2020). High-intensity interval aerobic resistance training to counteract low relative appendicular lean soft tissue mass in middle age: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(10), e22989. doi: 10.2196/22989

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., & Meredith-Jones, K. (2020). Protective and harmful factors associated with pro-dromal sarcopenia in an early middle-aged birth cohort. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 39(Suppl. 2), (pp. 29-30). doi: 10.1111/ajag.12811

2019

Journal - Research Article

Vlietstra, L., Stebbings, S., Meredith-Jones, K., Abbott, J. H., Treharne, G. J., & Waters, D. L. (2019). Sarcopenia in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: The association with self-reported fatigue, physical function and obesity. PLoS ONE, 14(6), e0217462. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217462

Waters, D. L., Qualls, C. R., Cesari, M., Rolland, Y., Vlietstra, L., & Vellas, B. (2019). Relationship of incident falls with balance deficits and body composition in male and female community-dwelling elders. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 23(1), 9-13. doi: 10.1007/s12603-018-1087-4

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hendrickx, W., Vlietstra, L., Valkenet, K., Wondergem, R., Veenhof, C., English, C., & Pisters, M. F. (2019). The effect of lifestyle interventions on the amount of physical activity after stroke or transient ischemic attack: A systematic review. Proceedings of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress. PLSoA-2232. Retrieved from https://www.wcpt.org

2018

Journal - Research Article

Vlietstra, L., Hendrickx, W., & Waters, D. L. (2018). Exercise interventions in healthy older adults with sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 37(3), 169-183. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12521

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Vlietstra, L., Waters, D. L., & Meredith-Jones, K. (2018). Prevalence of pro-dromal sarcopenic-obesity in middle-aged adults: Association with BMI and physical function. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia & Frality Research (ANZSSFR) Annual Meeting. (pp. 53). Retrieved from https://anzssfr.org/past-meetings

Vlietstra, L., Meredith-Jones, K., & Waters, D. (2018). Early middle-age prevalence of sarcopenia, osteopenia and osteosarcopenia in a birth cohort. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) 28th Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 118). Retrieved from https://www.anzbms.org.au/

Meredith-Jones, K., Vlietstra, L., Haszard, J., & Waters, D. (2018). Repeated childhood fracture is not related to abnormal bone or body composition in middle age. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) 28th Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 117). Retrieved from https://www.anzbms.org.au/

Vlietstra, L. (2018). Exercise interventions in healthy older adults with sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 95). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference

Other Research Output

Vlietstra, L. (2018, July). Screening and treating pro-dromal sarcopenia and sarcopenic-obesity in middle-aged adults. Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

2017

Journal - Research Other

Vlietstra, L., Meredith-Jones, K., Stebbings, S., Abbott, J. H., Treharne, G. J., & Waters, D. L. (2017). Sarcopenic obesity is more prevalent in osteoarthritis than rheumatoid arthritis: Are different processes involved? Rheumatology, 56(10), 1816-1818. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kex303

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Vlietstra, L., Meredith-Jones, K., Stebbings, S., Abbott, J., Treharne, G., & Waters, D. (2017). Sarco-osteopenia in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: Implications for clinical practice. Internal Medicine Journal, 47(Suppl. 2), (pp. 5). doi: 10.1111/imj.13426