Gender-specific Indian Paediatric and Adult Reference Data for Muscle Function Parameters Assessed Using Jumping Mechanography.

Objective: To establish age and gender-specific paediatric and adult reference data for muscle function parameters assessed using Jumping Mechanography in the Indian population.

Methods: 2056 healthy individuals (1068 males), aged 5 to 60 years, performed 2 tests on a force platform (Leonardo Mechanograph, Novotec). Maximum power (Pmax) was assessed by single two legged jump and maximum force (Fmax) by multiple one legged hopping. LMS method was used to generate age and gender-specific reference curves for 5 - 20y group and mean ± SD and median ± IQR are presented for 21 - 60y group.

Results: In 5 - 20y group, Pmax and Fmax increased with age while in 21 - 60y group, the parameters declined with age. Females had lower Pmax values than males, consistently through all age groups. In children <15y, there were no intergender differences in Fmax, however, in further age groups, females had lower Fmax (p<0.001). Our participants showed lower Pmax and Fmax when compared with machine reference data based on German population (p<0.001).

Conclusion: We present ethnicity-specific reference values for muscle function by Jumping Mechanography. These values are intended to help in clinical assessment of muscle function of Indian population and to identify those at risk of poor muscle function.