Paper Title: Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication: A Qualitative Study

Author(s) and Year: Jeffrey T. Boon, Brandon Grubbs, Maulik R. Patel, John Dunavan, Kelly J. Knickerbocker, and Cathy A. Maxwell; 2025A charming set of mitochondria-made-simple videos helped older adults feel empowered—not judged—to take charge of their health.

Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (open access)

TL;DR: The authors evaluated a series of educational videos on the importance of mitochondrial fitness for their effectiveness in prompting a change in behavior. The participants engaged in focus groups and had positive reactions to the videos, leading to them taking charge of their health through behavioral changes. The focus groups were a collaboration between the authors and the participants, yielding an improved educational product.

Why I chose this paper: As someone who worked in clinical research, I sometimes struggled when I had to speak about complex cellular mechanisms with lay audiences, so reading about how the authors educated older adults on the functions of mitochondria was very interesting to me. Not only did the authors communicate that knowledge, but they did so in a way that allowed the participants to apply that knowledge in their day-to-day activities!

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Whether it is encouraging the audience to get vaccinated, take control of their health, or do their part and prevent climate change, science communication can be used as a tool to encourage people to act and to change behavior (i.e., a call to action!). In Boon et al.’s scientific article, middle-aged or older adults were called to participate in physical activity and improve their health, especially as they continue aging. The authors achieved this by providing information to the participants in an interesting, understandable, and relatable manner.

The Background

To promote healthy aging by encouraging an increase in physical activity, the authors created MitoFit, a series of six educational videos which break down the concept of mitochondrial fitness in an easily digestible way. The videos teach lay audiences about the organelle’s function, the dangers of oxidative stress, and the impact of mitochondrial damage on health, as well as provide practical guidance on how to repair mitochondrial damage and maintain mitochondrial fitness through exercise. The final video consists of four testimonials by individuals that followed MitoFit guidance and stated their changed behavior was for the better.

When the authors created the MitoFit videos, their goals were to increase their audience’s knowledge of mitochondria and its importance, and to influence their behavior for the better, i.e., to promote a “healthy aging” lifestyle. This study’s specific aim was to evaluate the video series’ effectiveness as a tool to “jolt awareness and attention” in older adults, a population at increased risk of developing non-communicable chronic diseases and disability.

The Methods

To achieve the study’s aims listed above, the authors hosted focus groups with adults 50 years of age and older and studied their responses to the MitoFit videos. A total of 101 people participated in these groups and each completed a survey containing the question, “In the past year, have you engaged in a regular exercise routine?” The focus groups then viewed the videos in three sessions.

After each set of videos, the researchers initiated discussions amongst the participants to hear their impressions. The discussions were recorded and subsequently transcribed for the researchers. Three members of the research team then individually coded the transcripts and identified common themes that came up during the discussion groups. All the identified themes were analyzed to determine MitoFit’s effectiveness at transmitting knowledge and promoting a change in behavior.

The Results

Keeping It Relatable and Interesting

The authors determined that most participants thought the science presented through the MitoFit videos was interesting and easy to understand. For example, several participants positively commented on when one of the videos compared the mitochondria to batteries. Using metaphors and analogies  improved the audience’s understanding of the concept. The focus groups also said the inclusion of the testimonials from individuals similar to them made the videos more relatable and encouraged them to act and make lifestyle changes.

PULL QUOTE: “The reality that it’s scientific makes it less of a moral judgement and more like ‘this is how it is, this is your machine.’”

Another motivator for the participants was that the concept of mitochondrial damage and healthy aging was communicated in a way that highlighted the opportunity to change and improve physical health through exercise. An important theme that was identified in these responses was “this is biology.” In other words, there was no moral judgement attached to the knowledge being presented. The participants also discussed a “sense of agency” and a “desire to share.” So, not only did the audience members express feelings of self-efficacy and hope that they can change and improve their health, but also they felt the urge to spread the knowledge gained.

Comments and feedback on the content of the presentation were also collected, such as recommendations to shorten certain sections or indicating when more information was needed. These edits will ultimately improve the experience of future MitoFit viewers.

The Impact 

Leaving Judgement at the Door

Overall, the MitoFit videos resulted in positive reactions from the study participants because they simplified complex concepts using metaphors and analogies. Additionally, the videos’ use of testimonials made the content relatable and demonstrated to participants that it was not too late to change their behavior.

The videos were also positively received by the focus groups because participants did not feel judged for their lack of knowledge on the subject, which made them more likely to engage with the materials and apply their new knowledge to everyday life. However, this might not be applicable for all topics being covered by science communicators. In cases of moral uncertainty and when the actions of an individual affect many others, it would be more complicated to achieve an effective and judgement-free call to action.

Teamwork Continues to Make the Dream Work

Although the study lacked long-term follow-up data and a more diverse participant pool (most of the adults identified as White), the study revealed important considerations for science communicators. One such consideration for educational interventions similar to MitoFit is the importance of collaborating with the audience. For example, the study evaluated the participants’ feedback on the MitoFit videos, yielding improvements to the videos’ content and effectiveness.

Collaborating with audiences and engaging with focus groups can also help science communicators better understand them, ultimately improving the intended message. An effective call to action is not merely a statement, it is a wake-up call. The participants of this study enjoyed learning through the educational videos and they felt a sense of hope. Knowledge is power, and the participants gained the power to take control of their health.

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Written by Mariella A. Mestres-Villanueva

Edited by Clark Hickman

Featured image credit: RUN 4 FFWPU, Pexels.