Age-related differences in the response of leg muscle cross-sectional area and water diffusivity measures to a period of supine rest

Musculoskeletal (dys‐)function relies for a large part on muscle architecture which can be obtained using Diffusion‐Tensor MRI (DT‐MRI) and fiber tractography. However, reconstructed tracts often continue along the tendon or aponeurosis when using conventional methods, thus overestimating fascicle lengths. In this study, we propose a new method for semiautomatic segmentation of tendinous tissue using tract density (TD). We investigated the feasibility and repeatability of this method to quantify the mean fascicle length per muscle. Additionally, we examined whether the method facilitates measuring changes in fascicle length of lower leg muscles with different foot positions. Five healthy subjects underwent two DT‐MRI scans of the right lower leg, with the foot in 15° dorsiflexion, neutral, and 30° plantarflexion positions. Repeatability of fascicle length measurements was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis. Changes in fascicle lengths between the foot positions were tested using a repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement between repeated measurements. The coefficients of variation in neutral position were 8.3, 16.7, 11.2, and 10.4% for soleus (SOL), fibularis longus (FL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and tibialis anterior (TA), respectively. The plantarflexors (SOL and FL) showed significant increase in fascicle length from plantarflexion to dorsiflexion, whereas the dorsiflexors (EDL and TA) exhibited a significant decrease. The use of a tract density for semiautomatic segmentation of tendinous structures provides more accurate estimates of the mean fascicle length than traditional fiber tractography methods. The method shows moderate to good repeatability and allows for quantification of changes in fascicle lengths due to passive stretch.

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“…If interested in these muscles, a set‐up with the calf suspended would be preferable (Lorbergs et al. ; Elzibak and Noseworthy ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While this set-up is favorable for maximizing SNR in the posterior compartment, it also leads to deformation and compression of the gastrocnemius muscles. If interested in these muscles, a set-up with the calf suspended would be preferable (Lorbergs et al 2015;Elzibak and Noseworthy 2013).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel diffusion‐tensor MRI approach for skeletal muscle fascicle length measurements

Oudeman

Mazzoli

Marra

et al. 2016

Physiological Reports

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“…The scan acquisition protocol is described elsewhere [28]. In brief, 30 contiguous axial proton density (PD)-weighted images (slice thickness = 4 mm; TE/TR = 30/2344 ms, field-of view (FOV) = 16 cm, matrix = 320 mm 9 320 mm, total scan time = 6 min 30 s) were acquired.…”

Section: Image Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fat Infiltration in the Leg is Associated with Bone Geometry and Physical Function in Healthy Older Women

et al. 2015

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The objective of this study was to estimate the associations between muscular fat infiltration, tibia bone mineral quantity and distribution, and physical function in healthy older women. Thirty-five women (aged 60-75 years, mean 70 years) were recruited from the community. Percent intramuscular fat (%IntraMF) within the right leg tibialis anterior, soleus, and gastrocnemius muscles and total intermuscular fat (IMF) were segmented from magnetic resonance imaging scans at the mid-calf. Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content in the right tibialis anterior was measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Right tibia bone content, area, and strength were measured at the 4, 14, and 66% sites using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Physical function was assessed by gait speed on the 20 m walking test. After adjusting for age, body size, and activity level, %IntraMF had a negative association with bone content and area at all tibia sites (r = -0.31 to -0.03). Conversely, greater IMF was associated with increased bone content and area (r = 0.04-0.32). Correlation coefficients for the association between IMCL and bone were negative (r = -0.44 to -0.03). All measures of fat infiltration had a negative association with observed physical function (r = -0.42 to -0.04). Our findings suggest that muscular fat infiltration in the leg of healthy postmenopausal women has a compartment-specific relationship with bone status and physical function. Minimizing fat accumulation within and between muscle compartments may prevent bone fragility and functional decline in women.

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“…In studies of muscle aging, fiber atrophy is of particular interest, with the decrease in muscle fiber size that occurs in sarcopenia contributing to the decline in muscle force generation (Lexell et al, 1983 ). However, only a few studies have investigated changes in diffusion metrics with age (Kermarrec et al, 2010 ; Lorbergs et al, 2015 ; Yanagisawa et al, 2009 ; Yoon et al, 2017 ), the most comprehensive being reported by Galbán et al ( 2007 ), Sinha et al ( 2015 ), and, more recently, Farrow et al ( 2021 ). However, these studies were conducted in small groups with a relatively narrow age range, or, in the case of the study by Sinha et al ( 2015 ), show data for only one sex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age‐related changes in human skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture assessed by diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging and their association with muscle strength

et al. 2023

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Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) offers objective measures of muscle characteristics, providing insights into age-related changes. We used DT-MRI to probe skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture in a large healthyaging cohort, with the aim of characterizing age-related differences and comparing these to muscle strength. We recruited 94 participants (43 female; median age = 56, range = 22-89 years) and measured microstructure parameters-fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)-in 12 thigh muscles, and architecture parameterspennation angle, fascicle length, fiber curvature, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA)-in the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris longus (BFL). Knee extension and flexion torques were also measured for comparison to architecture measures.FA and MD were associated with age (β = 0.33, p = 0.001, R 2 = 0.10; and β = −0.36, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.12), and FA was negatively associated with Type I fiber proportions from the literature (β = −0.70, p = 0.024, and R 2 = 0.43). Pennation angle, fiber curvature, fascicle length, and PCSA were associated with age in the RF (β = −0.22, 0.26, −0.23, and −0.31, respectively; p < 0.05), while in the BFL only curvature and fascicle length were associated with age (β = 0.36, and −0.40, respectively; p < 0.001). In the RF, pennation angle and PCSA were associated with strength (β = 0.29, and 0.46, respectively; p < 0.01); in the BFL, only PCSA was associated with strength (β = 0.43; p < 0.001). Our results show skeletal muscle architectural changes with aging and intermuscular differences in the microstructure. DT-MRI may prove useful for elucidating muscle changes in the early stages of sarcopenia and monitoring interventions aimed at preventing age-associated microstructural changes in muscle that lead to functional impairment.

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Age-related differences in the response of leg muscle cross-sectional area and water diffusivity measures to a period of supine rest

Abstract: Regardless of age, ADC values decreased with fluid shift associated with time spent supine, whereas CSA and FA were not affected. For leg muscle assessment in young and older women, DTI scanning protocols should consider the amount of time spent in a recumbent position.

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

A novel diffusion‐tensor MRI approach for skeletal muscle fascicle length measurements

A novel diffusion‐tensor MRI approach for skeletal muscle fascicle length measurements

Fat Infiltration in the Leg is Associated with Bone Geometry and Physical Function in Healthy Older Women

Age‐related changes in human skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture assessed by diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging and their association with muscle strength

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