A negative relationship between leg length and leg cross-sectional areas in adults.

Objectives: These were to examine the relationship between leg cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and leg length while making allowance for other factors, such as fatness and the load on the legs.

Methods: Body mass, stature, and sitting height were directly measured and volumes and leg CSAs were obtained by 3D scanning for 155 men and 162 women. Leg CSAs were regressed simultaneously on upper body mass and leg length.

Results: With allowance made for positive correlations with upper body mass, leg CSAs showed a negative correlation with leg length (P = 0.00006-0.027).

Conclusion: There is a negative correlation between leg lengths and CSAs that is largely obscured by other influences.