scholarly journals Declines in skeletal muscle quality vs. size following two weeks of knee joint immobilization

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob J. MacLennan ◽  
Michael Sahebi ◽  
Nathan Becker ◽  
Ethan Davis ◽  
Jeanette M. Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background Disuse of a muscle group, which occurs during bedrest, spaceflight, and limb immobilization, results in atrophy. It is unclear, however, if the magnitude of decline in skeletal muscle quality is similar to that for muscle size. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two weeks of knee joint immobilization on vastus lateralis and rectus femoris echo intensity and cross-sectional area. Methods Thirteen females (mean ± SD age = 21 ± 2 years) underwent two weeks of left knee joint immobilization via ambulating on crutches and use of a brace. B-mode ultrasonography was utilized to obtain transverse plane images of the immobilized and control vastus lateralis and rectus femoris at pretest and following immobilization. Effect size statistics and two-way repeated measures analyses of variance were used to interpret the data. Results No meaningful changes were demonstrated for the control limb and the rectus femoris of the immobilized limb. Analyses showed a large increase in vastus lateralis echo intensity (i.e., decreased muscle quality) for the immobilized limb (p = .006, Cohen’s d = .918). For vastus lateralis cross-sectional area, no time × limb interaction was observed (p = .103), but the effect size was moderate (d = .570). There was a significant association between the increase in vastus lateralis echo intensity and the decrease in cross-sectional area (r =  − .649, p = .016). Conclusion In female participants, two weeks of knee joint immobilization resulted in greater deterioration of muscle quality than muscle size. Echo intensity appears to be an attractive clinical tool for monitoring muscle quality during disuse.

Muscle Quality, Measured by Ultrasound-Derived Corrected Echo Intensity, Does not Affect Changes in Cross-sectional Area of the Vastus Lateralis Following Recumbent Rest

2020 ◽  
pp. 875647932096727
Author(s):  
Alyssa N. Varanoske ◽  
Nicholas A. Coker ◽  
Bri-Ana D. I. Johnson ◽  
Tal Belity ◽  
Adam J. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective: Recumbent rest elicits a decrease in muscle size of the lower extremity, but the extent of decrease may be related to differences in muscle quality. This could have implications for ultrasound-derived measures of muscle size, particularly in individuals with a large proportion of intramuscular contractile elements. The research objective was to determine whether decreases in muscle size following recumbent rest are related to ultrasound-derived corrected echo intensity in resistance-trained males. Methods: Cross-sectional area (CSA), echo intensity (EI), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and EI corrected for SFT (EICor) of the vastus lateralis (VL) were measured via ultrasonography in 30 resistance-trained males. Measures were obtained immediately following recumbency (T0) and 15 minutes after recumbency (T15). The association between EICor and percentage change in CSA (%ΔCSA) from T0 to T15 was examined. Comparisons of morphological characteristics were examined between a subset of participants with the lowest (LO; n = 10; <33rd percentile) and highest (HI; n = 10; >66th percentile) EICor. Results: EICor was not correlated with %ΔCSA ( P = .151), and the decrease in CSA from T0 to T15 did not differ between the LO and HI groups. Conclusions: Muscle quality (EICor) is not related to the decrease in CSA of the VL following recumbent rest among resistance-trained, young males. The time frame of muscle CSA acquisition should not differ based solely on differences in muscle quality.

Skeletal Muscle Composition and Glucose Levels in Children Who Are Overweight and Obese

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-164
Author(s):  
Trent J. Herda ◽  
Philip M. Gallagher ◽  
Jonathan D. Miller ◽  
Matthew P. Bubak ◽  
Mandy E. Parra
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
First Dorsal Interosseous ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Muscle Composition ◽  
Glucose Levels

Background: Skeletal muscle is overlooked in the realm of insulin resistance in children who are overweight and obese despite the fact that it accounts for the most glucose disposal. Objectives: Therefore, this study examined fasted glucose levels and muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity (EI) via ultrasound images of the first dorsal interosseous, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris in children who are normal weight and overweight and obese aged 8–10 years. Methods: In total, 13 males (age = 9.0 [0.7] y) and 7 females (age = 9.0 [0.8] y) volunteered for this study. Independent samples t tests and effect sizes (ESs) were used to examine potential differences in skeletal muscle composition and glucose concentrations. Results: There were no significant differences between groups for glucose concentration (P = .07, ES = 0.86); however, the children who were overweight and obese had significantly greater EI (P < .01, ES = 0.98–1.63) for the first dorsal interosseous, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris and lower cross-sectional area when normalized to EI when collapsed across muscles (P < .04, ES = 0.92). Glucose concentrations correlated with EI and cross-sectional area/EI for the vastus lateralis (r = .514 to −.593) and rectus femoris (r = .551 to −.513), but not the first dorsal interosseous. Discussion: There is evidence that adiposity-related pathways leading to insulin resistance and skeletal muscle degradation are active in young children who are overweight and obese.

Age-Related Differences in Hip Flexion Maximal and Rapid Strength and Rectus Femoris Muscle Size and Composition

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ahalee C. Farrow ◽  
Ty B. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Young Men ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Hip Flexion

This study aimed to examine the effects of age on hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and rectus femoris (RF) muscle size and composition in men. Fifteen young (25 [3] y) and 15 older (73 [4] y) men performed isometric hip flexion contractions to examine peak torque and absolute and normalized rate of torque development (RTD) at time intervals of 0 to 100 and 100 to 200 milliseconds. Ultrasonography was used to examine RF muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity. Peak torque, absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds, and absolute and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds were significantly lower (P = .004–.045) in the old compared with the young men. The older men exhibited lower cross-sectional area (P = .015) and higher echo intensity (P = .007) than the young men. Moreover, there were positive relationships between cross-sectional area and absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds (r = .400) and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = .450) and negative relationships between echo intensity and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.457) and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.373). These findings indicate that hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and RF muscle size and composition decrease in old age. The relationships observed between ultrasound-derived RF parameters and measurements of RTD suggest that these age-related declines in muscle size and composition may be relevant to hip flexion rapid torque production.

scholarly journals Quadriceps cross-sectional area changes in young healthy men with different magnitude of Q angle

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 800-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aikaterini E. Tsakoniti ◽  
Christoforos A. Stoupis ◽  
Spyros I. Athanasopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Dynamic Mri ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Dynamic Imaging ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Q Angle

Knee pain and dysfunction have been often associated with an ineffective pull of the patella by the vastus medialis (VM) relative to the vastus lateralis (VL), particularly in individuals with knee joint malalignment. Such changes in muscular behavior may be attributed to muscle inhibition and/or atrophy that precedes the onset of symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of knee joint malalignment, indicated by a high quadriceps (Q) angle (HQ angle >15°), on the anatomic cross-sectional area (aCSA) of the entire quadriceps and its individual parts, in a group of 17 young asymptomatic men compared with a group of 19 asymptomatic individuals with low Q angle (LQ angle <15°). The aCSA of the entire quadriceps (TQ), VM, VL, vastus intermedius (VI), rectus femoris (RF), and patellar tendon (PT) were measured during static and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the quadriceps relaxed and under contraction, respectively. A statistically significant lower aCSA was obtained in the HQ angle group, compared with the LQ angle group, for the TQ, VL, and VI in both static (TQ = 9.9%, VL = 12.9%, and VI = 9.1%; P < 0.05) and dynamic imaging (TQ = 10.7%, P < 0.001; VL = 13.4%, P < 0.01; and VI = 9.8%, P < 0.05) and the aCSA of the VM in dynamic MRI (11.9%; P < 0.01). The muscle atrophy obtained in the HQ angle group may be the result of a protective mechanism that inhibits and progressively adapts muscle behavior to reduce abnormal loading and wear of joint structures.

scholarly journals Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the process of obtaining cross-sectional area and echo intensity measurements of muscles from ultrasound images

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (84) ◽  
pp. e7-e11
Author(s):  
Eric J. Sobolewski ◽  
◽  
Leah D. Wein ◽  
Jacquelyn M. Crow ◽  
Kaitlyn M. Carpenter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rater Reliability

Introduction: The use of ultrasound images for analyzing muscle quality and size is continuing to grow in the literature. However, many of these manuscripts fail to properly describe their measurement techniques and steps involved in analyzing ultrasound images. Aim of this study: To evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the steps involved when analyzing ultrasound images to measure cross-sectional area and echo intensity. Material and methods: Twenty ultrasound images of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis images were blinded and replicated, and then analyzed by experienced raters. The raters then were asked to analyze the images using open-source software for scaling measurements, subcutaneous fat thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity. Matched image values for each measurement where compared for intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results: Intra-rater reliability ranged from fair (ICC3,1 = 0.32) to high (0.98), with echo intensity values being the least reliable (>0.55), and scaling and depth measurements being the most reliable (<0.85). Inter-rater reliability ranged from good (0.77) to high (0.97). Conclusion: Ultrasound- derived measures of cross-sectional area and echo intensity can be measured reliably, with echo intensity being the most difficult to replicate. However, reliability measures are unique to the rater and study and, therefore, should be clearly reported in every paper.

scholarly journals DeepACSA: Automatic segmentation of anatomical cross-sectional area in ultrasound images of human lower limb muscles using deep learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ritsche ◽  
Philipp Wirth ◽  
Neil Cronin ◽  
Fabio Sarto ◽  
Marco Narici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Manual Analysis

Background: Muscle anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) is an important parameter that characterizes muscle function and helps to classify the severity of several muscular disorders. Ultrasound is a patient friendly, fast and cheap method of assessing muscle ACSA, but manual analysis of the images is laborious, subjective and requires thorough experience. To date, no open access and fully automated program to segment ACSA in ultrasound images is available. On this basis, we present DeepACSA, a deep learning approach to automatically segment ACSA in panoramic ultrasound images of the human rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) muscles. Methods: We trained convolutional neural networks using 1772 ultrasound images from 153 participants (25 females, 128 males; mean age = 38.2 years, range: 13-78) captured by three experienced operators using three distinct devices. We trained three muscle-specific models to detect ACSA. Findings: Comparing DeepACSA analysis of the RF to manual analysis resulted in intra-class correlation (ICC) of 0.96 (95% CI 0.94,0.97), mean difference of 0.31 cm2 (0.04,0.58) and standard error of the differences (SEM) of 0.91 cm2 (0.47,1.36). For the VL, ICC was 0.94 (0.91,0.96), mean difference was 0.25 cm2 (-0.21,0.7) and SEM was 1.55 cm2 (1.13,1.96). The GM/GL muscles demonstrated an ICC of 0.97 (0.95,0.98), a mean difference of 0.01 cm2 (-0.25, 0.24) and a SEM of 0.69 cm2 (0.52,0.83). Interpretation: DeepACSA provides fast and objective segmentation of lower limb panoramic ultrasound images comparable to manual segmentation and is easy to implement both in research and clinical settings. Inaccurate model predictions occurred predominantly on low-quality images, highlighting the importance of high image quality for accurate prediction.

Variability in skeletal muscle fibre characteristics during repeated muscle biopsy sampling in human vastus lateralis

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Nederveen ◽  
George Ibrahim ◽  
Stephen A. Fortino ◽  
Tim Snijders ◽  
Dinesh Kumbhare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Biopsy ◽  
Fibre Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Type Distribution ◽  
Fibre Type Distribution

The percutaneous muscle biopsy procedure is an invaluable tool for characterizing skeletal muscle and capillarization. Little is known about methodological or biological variation stemming from the technique in heterogeneous muscle. Five muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis of a group of young men (n = 29, 22 ± 1 years) over a 96-h period. We investigated the repeatability of fibre distribution, indices of muscle capillarization and perfusion, and myofibre characteristics. No differences between the biopsies were reported in myofibre type distribution, cross-sectional area (CSA), and perimeter. Capillary-to-fibre perimeter exchange index and individual capillary-fibre contacts were unchanged with respect to the location of the muscle biopsy and index of capillarization. The variability in the sampling distribution of fibre type specific muscle CSA increased when fewer than 150 muscle fibres were quantified. Variability in fibre type distribution increased when fewer than 150 muscle fibres were quantified. Myofibre characteristics and indices of capillarization are largely consistent throughout the vastus lateralis when assessed via the skeletal muscle biopsy technique. Novelty Markers of muscle capillarization and perfusion were unchanged across multiple sites of the human vastus lateralis. Myofibre characteristics such as muscle cross-sectional area, perimeter, and fibre type distribution were also unchanged. Variation of muscle CSA was higher when fewer than 150 muscle fibres were quantified.

scholarly journals Reliability and differences in quadriceps femoris muscle morphology using ultrasonography: The effects of body position and rest time

Ultrasound ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick M Tomko ◽  
Tyler WD Muddle ◽  
Mitchel A Magrini ◽  
Ryan J Colquhoun ◽  
Micheal J Luera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supine Position ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Muscle Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽  
Femoris Muscle

Introduction The purpose of this investigation was to: (1) to determine the reliability of rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity obtained using panoramic ultrasound imaging during seated and supine lying positions before and after a 5-minute rest period and (2) to determine the influence of body position and rest period on the magnitude of rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity measurements. Methods A total of 23 males and females (age = 21.5 ± 1.9 years) visited the laboratory on two separate occasions. During each visit, panoramic ultrasound images of the rectus femoris were obtained in both a seated and a supine position before (T1) and after a 5-minute (T2) rest period to quantify any potential changes in either muscle cross-sectional area and/or echo intensity. Results None of the muscle cross-sectional area or echo intensity measurements exhibited systematic variability, and the ICCs were 0.98–0.99 and 0.88–0.91, and the coefficients of variation were ≤ 3.9% and ≤ 8.2% for muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity, respectively. Our results indicated that muscle cross-sectional area was greater in the seated than supine position, whereas echo intensity was greater in the supine position. Further, echo intensity increased in the seated position from T1 to T2. Conclusion Both rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity may be reliably measured in either a seated or supine lying position before or after a 5-minute rest period. Aside from echo intensity in the seated position, rest period had no influence on the magnitude of muscle cross-sectional area or echo intensity. Comparison of muscle cross-sectional area values that are obtained in different body positions is ill-advised.

scholarly journals Test-Retest Reliability of Muscle Thickness, Echo-Intensity and Cross Sectional Area of Quadriceps and Hamstrings Muscle Groups Using B-mode Ultrasound

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassio V. Ruas ◽  
Ronei S. Pinto ◽  
Camila D. Lima ◽  
Pablo B. Costa ◽  
Lee E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Musculoskeletal Tissue ◽  
Muscle Groups

Ultrasound muscle images have been extensively used as tools for investigating, diagnosing and monitoring thigh muscles. However, there is a lack of information examining ultrasound reliability of quadriceps and hamstrings images for research and clinical use. Objectives: To determine the reliability of muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI) and cross sectional area (CSA) of quadriceps and hamstrings muscle groups. Methods: Single transverse images of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus intermedius (VI), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris long head (BFlh), semitendinosus (ST), and semimembranosus (SM) muscles were scanned in the right and left legs of ten healthy collegiate men (age 23.4 ± 2.2 yrs, mass 71.7 ± 11.7 kg, height 1.73 ± 0.06 m) between two sessions with one day interval. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum difference to be considered “real” (MD) were measured for MT, EI, and CSA. Results: A range of 0.97-0.99, 0.83-0.88, and 0.86-0.97 (ICC); 0.72-1.38, 2.73-3.41, and 0.36-1.04 (SEM); and 2.01-3.82, 7.56-9.46, and 0.99-2.89 (MD) were found for quadriceps muscles, and 0.93-0.99, 0.74-0.90, and 0.89-0.96 (ICC); 0.73-1.94, 3.29-4.98, and 0.69-1.08 (SEM); and 2.03-5.38, 9.13-13.81, and 1.91-2.98 (MD) were found for hamstrings muscles. Conclusions: These results suggest that ultrasound imaging of both quadriceps and hamstrings muscle architecture is a reliable technique for assessing thigh musculoskeletal tissue. The anatomical sites, as well as ultrasound adjustments, images, and results utilized here may assist future researchers and clinicians as reference tools when measuring quadriceps and hamstrings musculature. 

scholarly journals Seasonal Effects on Body Composition, Muscle Characteristics, and Performance of Collegiate Swimmers and Divers

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica J. Roelofs ◽  
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan ◽  
Eric T. Trexler ◽  
Katie R. Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Muscle Cross Sectional Area

Context: Previous researchers have indicated the importance of body composition and muscle quality in athletic performance. However, body composition and muscle-quality measures in swimmers and divers over a training season have yet to be evaluated. Objective: To identify changes in body composition and muscle characteristics over a competitive season and identify relationships between these variables and performance in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers and divers. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 17 collegiate swimmers and divers (age = 18.6 ± 0.7 years, height = 175.8 ± 4.0 cm, body mass = 69.7 ± 7.0 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s): At preseason and postseason, body composition in each participant was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Echo intensity and muscle cross-sectional area were determined from an ultrasound panoramic scan of the vastus lateralis muscle. Race times were obtained from the university athletic Web site. Results: Lean mass (P = .016), arm lean mass (P = .008), and muscle cross-sectional area (P = .03) were higher at postseason, whereas body fat percentage (P = .041) and echo intensity (P = .0007) were lower at postseason. Performance improved from preseason to postseason in all event groups (sprinters, distance swimmers, and divers; P &lt; .05). Conclusions: Body composition and muscle characteristics improved through 1 training season, which may have implications for performance. Quantifying body composition and muscle characteristics may be beneficial for professionals who work with athletes in order to improve performance and prevent injury.

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