Correlations between gastrocnemius morphology parameters and physical activity capacity in elderly females under high-frequency ultrasound

doi:10.12307/2025.285

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The application of high-frequency ultrasound technology provides an effective tool for the precise assessment of skeletal muscle morphology in the elderly. However, the correlation between the morphological parameters of skeletal muscle obtained and physical activity capacity remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between morphological parameters of the gastrocnemius muscle and physical activity capacity in elderly females using high-frequency ultrasound imaging technology, thereby identifying effective predictive indicators for physical activity capacity in the elderly.
METHODS: Fifty-nine elderly female subjects over the age of 60 with the ability to live independently were recruited in the communities surrounding Shanghai Sanda University. High-frequency ultrasound images of the subjects’ gastrocnemius muscles were collected to obtain the relevant parameters, including muscle thickness, fiber length, pennation angle, and fiber length/muscle thickness (Lf/Tm) index. Physical activity capacity tests were also conducted and relevant indicators included the 10-meter walk test, timed up-and-go test, 30-second chair stand test, and grip strength test. Correlation analyses were performed between various morphological parameters and physical activity capacity test indicators.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significant correlations were found between various muscle morphological parameters (P < 0.05). The pennation angle showed significant correlations with the 10-meter walking speed (r=-0.35, P < 0.05) and timed up-and-go test results (r=0.32, P < 0.05). The Lf/Tm index was positively correlated with 10-meter walking speed and grip strength test results (r=0.39, P < 0.01; r=0.30, P < 0.05), but was negatively correlated with timed up-and-go test results (r=-0.32, P < 0.05). All these findings indicate that the pennation angle and Lf/Tm index of the gastrocnemius muscle show a good correlation with physical activity capacity in elderly females, which can serve as effective predictive indicators for physical activity capacity.

Key words: elderly female, high-frequency imaging, physical activity capacity, skeletal muscle morphology, 10-meter walking, Lf/Tm index

CLC Number:

Wen Zixing, Xu Xin, Zhu Shengqun. Correlations between gastrocnemius morphology parameters and physical activity capacity in elderly females under high-frequency ultrasound [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2025, 29(5): 1058-1063.

Figures/Tables 6

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