Relationship between probable sarcopenia and cardiovascular parameters through a wearable device in community-dwelling older adults: results from the PRO-EVA Study

Sabrina Macêdo, Eujessika Rodrigues, Caroline Ramalho, Weslley Sales, Marcela Pimentel, Paulo Barbosa, Edgar Vieira, Álvaro Maciel
Purpose:

This study aims to investigate the relationship between cardiovascular metrics, as measured by wearable devices, and sarcopenia.This study aims to investigate the relationship between cardiovascular metrics, as measured by wearable devices, and sarcopenia.

Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A convenience sample of older adults receiving care at three Basic Health Units (UBS) in the municipality was selected. Participants were assessed based on the following parameters: sociodemographic and clinical data; calf circumference (CC); probable sarcopenia, defined by low muscle strength measured with a Jamar® dynamometer using the cut-off values established by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP 2): ≤27 kg/f (men) and 16 kg/f (women); and Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMMI). Participants wore a FITBIT© Inspire HR smartwatch on their non-dominant upper arm for 7 days to collect cardiovascular data, including average heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) using the indices: SDNN, SDNN index (SDNNi), pNN50, and RMSSD. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (approval number: 2,996,329). Descriptive statistics were presented as median and interquartile range (P25; P75) for continuous variables and as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare groups. Descriptive statistics were presented as median and interquartile range (P25; P75) for continuous variables and as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare groups.

Results:

The sample included 178 older adults, with a median age of 71 years (range: 66-76), and predominantly female (60.1%). Among the participants, 40.3% were classified as having probable sarcopenia, with a median handgrip strength of 20 kg/f. The probable sarcopenia group had a median CC of 32.8 cm (31.5-35.3), compared to 35 cm (32.7-37.1) in the non-sarcopenic group (p = 0.001). The SMMI in the probable sarcopenia group was 6.19 kg/m² (5.5-8). The average HR was 74.1 bpm (69.8-80) in the probable sarcopenia group and 75.4 bpm (70.5-79.9) in the non-sarcopenic group. Total HRV, as measured by SDNN, significantly differed between the probable sarcopenia group (114 ms [84-138.7]) and the non-sarcopenic group (129 ms [108.2-161.7], p = 0.007). No significant differences were found between the groups for other HRV indices.

Conclusion(s):

Community-dwelling older adults with probable sarcopenia exhibit reduced total HRV, measured by SDNN, in a sample from northeastern Brazil. 

Implications:

These findings may provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying sarcopenia and underscore the potential utility of wearable devices for monitoring related parameters.

Funding acknowledgements:
CAPES, CNPq and Fundação de Amparo e Promoção da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Rio Grande do Norte (FAPERN).
Keywords:
Wearable Devices
Frailty
Physical Activity
Primary topic:
Older people
Second topic:
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Third topic:
Musculoskeletal
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Provide the ethics approval number:
No. 2.996,329.
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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