Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function

Abstract Background Frail, sarcopenic older individuals have high risk of cardiovascular events and require multidomain interventions. The cross-talk between cardiac and skeletal muscle mass is crucial to maintain physical independence in this specific population. The aim of the study was to evaluat...

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Main Authors: Giovanna Pelà, Sara Tagliaferri, Elisa Adorni, Marina Aiello, Marco Salvi, Irene Zucchini, Riccardo Calvani, Emanuele Marzetti, Fulvio Lauretani, Giampaolo Niccoli, Marcello Maggio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-025-00377-8
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author Giovanna Pelà
Sara Tagliaferri
Elisa Adorni
Marina Aiello
Marco Salvi
Irene Zucchini
Riccardo Calvani
Emanuele Marzetti
Fulvio Lauretani
Giampaolo Niccoli
Marcello Maggio
author_facet Giovanna Pelà
Sara Tagliaferri
Elisa Adorni
Marina Aiello
Marco Salvi
Irene Zucchini
Riccardo Calvani
Emanuele Marzetti
Fulvio Lauretani
Giampaolo Niccoli
Marcello Maggio
author_sort Giovanna Pelà
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Frail, sarcopenic older individuals have high risk of cardiovascular events and require multidomain interventions. The cross-talk between cardiac and skeletal muscle mass is crucial to maintain physical independence in this specific population. The aim of the study was to evaluate, in a selected sample of frail, sarcopenic older adults, the influence of a two-year multimodal intervention, composed by exercise program and nutritional counseling, compared to a lifestyle education program, on echocardiographic parameters and the relationship between left ventricular mass and skeletal muscle. Methods One-hundred subjects, among those enrolled in the SPRINTT trial at Frailty Clinic of the University-Hospital of Parma, underwent cardiac examination as part of the ancillary protocol CARDIOSPRINTT. Eighty-two participants completed the protocol and attended the final visit after approximately 25 months from enrolment. Results We did not find significant changes in the intervention group compared with the control one. However, we captured the longitudinal effects of cardiovascular aging, including the reduction of left ventricular volumes and an impairment of systolic and diastolic function of both ventricles. We found a significant relationship between left ventricular mass and skeletal muscle mass, suggesting the existence of cardiac-skeletal muscle axis. This relationship was not independent of age, body mass index or systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Our findings suggest that among frail, sarcopenic patients with different degree of mobility impairment, a multimodal intervention is necessary to improve cardiac health and counteract the cardiovascular aging. Modulating the cardiac-skeletal muscle axis may represent a novel and promising target for preventing cardio-sarcopenia.
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spelling doaj-art-a40dc9a64bcb4f5e9c3fec5d401a1bea2025-08-20T03:45:19ZengBMCEuropean Review of Aging and Physical Activity1861-69092025-07-012211910.1186/s11556-025-00377-8Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle functionGiovanna Pelà0Sara Tagliaferri1Elisa Adorni2Marina Aiello3Marco Salvi4Irene Zucchini5Riccardo Calvani6Emanuele Marzetti7Fulvio Lauretani8Giampaolo Niccoli9Marcello Maggio10University of ParmaUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaCatholic University of the Sacred HeartCatholic University of the Sacred HeartUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaUniversity of ParmaAbstract Background Frail, sarcopenic older individuals have high risk of cardiovascular events and require multidomain interventions. The cross-talk between cardiac and skeletal muscle mass is crucial to maintain physical independence in this specific population. The aim of the study was to evaluate, in a selected sample of frail, sarcopenic older adults, the influence of a two-year multimodal intervention, composed by exercise program and nutritional counseling, compared to a lifestyle education program, on echocardiographic parameters and the relationship between left ventricular mass and skeletal muscle. Methods One-hundred subjects, among those enrolled in the SPRINTT trial at Frailty Clinic of the University-Hospital of Parma, underwent cardiac examination as part of the ancillary protocol CARDIOSPRINTT. Eighty-two participants completed the protocol and attended the final visit after approximately 25 months from enrolment. Results We did not find significant changes in the intervention group compared with the control one. However, we captured the longitudinal effects of cardiovascular aging, including the reduction of left ventricular volumes and an impairment of systolic and diastolic function of both ventricles. We found a significant relationship between left ventricular mass and skeletal muscle mass, suggesting the existence of cardiac-skeletal muscle axis. This relationship was not independent of age, body mass index or systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Our findings suggest that among frail, sarcopenic patients with different degree of mobility impairment, a multimodal intervention is necessary to improve cardiac health and counteract the cardiovascular aging. Modulating the cardiac-skeletal muscle axis may represent a novel and promising target for preventing cardio-sarcopenia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-025-00377-8FrailtySarcopeniaPhysical exerciseCardio-sarcopenia syndromeCardiovascular agingCardiac remodeling
spellingShingle Giovanna Pelà
Sara Tagliaferri
Elisa Adorni
Marina Aiello
Marco Salvi
Irene Zucchini
Riccardo Calvani
Emanuele Marzetti
Fulvio Lauretani
Giampaolo Niccoli
Marcello Maggio
Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
Frailty
Sarcopenia
Physical exercise
Cardio-sarcopenia syndrome
Cardiovascular aging
Cardiac remodeling
title Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
title_full Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
title_fullStr Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
title_full_unstemmed Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
title_short Effects of two-year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio-sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
title_sort effects of two year adapted physical exercise program and nutritional counselling on cardio sarcopenia syndrome in older adults with low muscle function
topic Frailty
Sarcopenia
Physical exercise
Cardio-sarcopenia syndrome
Cardiovascular aging
Cardiac remodeling
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-025-00377-8
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