Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesSecondary analysis
Impact of multicomponent exercise training in older individuals with and without heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the role of functional capacity and novel biomarkers
- Secondary analysis of the Bestform cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
Six months of multicomponent exercise training enhanced functional capacity and reduced circulating TNF-α in older individuals, irrespective of HF status, while P3NP declined only in those without HF.
Study context
- Population
- Older residents of senior care facilities (≥80 years)analysed
- Participants
- 57 residents
- Comparison
- Heart failure (HF) vs No HF, before vs after 6-month multicomponent exercise training
- HFn = 24
- Primary endpoint
- Functional capacity (SPPB, CST, handgrip strength, 6MWT) and inflammatory, catabolic and anabolic biomarkers, pre- and post-training
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Post-training change, whole analysis population
- Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) improved (β)
- β=0.60, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.98
- Chair-Stand-Test (CST) improved (β)
- β=0.37, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.58
- 6MWT-distance improved (β)
- β=15.22, 95%CI 3.47 to 26.97
- TNF-α decreased (β)
- β=−0.22, 95%CI −0.43 to −0.01
- P3NP declined (β)
- β=−0.23, 95%CI −0.38 to −0.08
- P3NP Time×Group interaction: reduction only in No HF
- β=0.41, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.70
Further findings
| Outcome | MD (pg/mL) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline differences, HF vs No HF · GDF-15 concentration | 544.2 (39.1–1049.4) | |
| −500050010001500Difference, pg/mL (linear scale) |
- Baseline differences, HF vs No HF — Significantly lower 6MWT distance at baseline
- MD −71.3 m (95% CI −119.5 to −23.2)
- Baseline differences, HF vs No HF — Significantly lower handgrip strength at baseline
- MD −4.3 kg (95% CI −8.4 to −0.3)
Original publication
Impact of multicomponent exercise training in older individuals with and without heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the role of functional capacity and novel biomarkers. Eur J Heart Fail. Published 21 April 2026. doi:10.1093/ejhf/xuag133
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it