Regional and total muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance: The potential use of ultrasound imaging for sarcopenia.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the regional and total muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance, and also to investigate the affected muscles, their strength and physical performance with aging.

Methods: A total of 145 healthy subjects were included for the cross-sectional descriptive study. Demographic data were obtained, and body composition was consecutively assessed by anthropometric methods, bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound (muscle thickness, fascicule length and pennation angle). Functional status was assessed using hand grip strength and gait speed measurements.

Results: Abdominal and thigh muscles were thinner and triceps muscle was thicker in older subjects when compared with younger ones. Age and grip strength were significant predictors for physical performance. Gait speed, grip strength and regional muscle measurements decreased with age at higher rates (26-28%), skeletal muscle mass index was affected at a lower rate (15%).

Conclusions: Low muscle strength and regional muscle measurements should be used to confirm the diagnosis of sarcopenia.