Age-related Differences in Rectus Femoris Muscle Size and Hip Flexion Maximal and Rapid Torque Characteristics

Ultrasonography is frequently used to measure the rectus femoris muscle cross-section area, and has been suggested to associate with poor health condition. However, no validation studies have been performed to compare rectus femoris muscle ultrasonography (RFMS) with anatomical planimetry when measuring the muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). This validation study compared the two methods of CSA measurement of unfixed (frozen) and fixed (unfrozen) rectus femoris muscle specimens obtained from elderly human cadavers. Agreement between tests was studied by Bland–Altman analysis. We found a significant difference between planimetry and RFMS of unfixed (frozen) muscle specimens (mean difference, -0.389 cm2; 95% CI, -0.144 to -0.634), p = 0.022. No significant difference was observed between the two methods when measuring fixed (unfrozen) muscle specimens (mean difference, 0.032 cm2, 95% CI, -0.007 to -0.070), p = 0.107. In fixed specimens, the 95% limit of agreement between the two methods ranged between 0.12 cm2 and -0.06 cm2 (<10% deviation); while in unfixed muscle specimens, the range was between 0.28 cm2 and -1.06 cm2 (~50% deviation). In light of the similar results obtained in fixed specimens, ultrasound is a safe and accurate method of rectus femoris muscle size assessment. In clinical practice, RFMS may be used to detect a decrease in rectus femoris muscle mass, typically associated with malnutrition of the elderly, and may therefore be a simple and practical tool for the screening of malnutrition.

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Age-Related Differences in Hip Flexion Maximal and Rapid Strength and Rectus Femoris Muscle Size and Composition

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2020-0383 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ahalee C. Farrow ◽

Ty B. Palmer

Keyword(s):

Young Men ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Echo Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Hip Flexion

This study aimed to examine the effects of age on hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and rectus femoris (RF) muscle size and composition in men. Fifteen young (25 [3] y) and 15 older (73 [4] y) men performed isometric hip flexion contractions to examine peak torque and absolute and normalized rate of torque development (RTD) at time intervals of 0 to 100 and 100 to 200 milliseconds. Ultrasonography was used to examine RF muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity. Peak torque, absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds, and absolute and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds were significantly lower (P = .004–.045) in the old compared with the young men. The older men exhibited lower cross-sectional area (P = .015) and higher echo intensity (P = .007) than the young men. Moreover, there were positive relationships between cross-sectional area and absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds (r = .400) and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = .450) and negative relationships between echo intensity and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.457) and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.373). These findings indicate that hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and RF muscle size and composition decrease in old age. The relationships observed between ultrasound-derived RF parameters and measurements of RTD suggest that these age-related declines in muscle size and composition may be relevant to hip flexion rapid torque production.

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Ultrasound assessment of rectus femoris muscle in rehabilitation patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screened for sarcopenia: correlation of muscle size with quadriceps strength and fat-free mass

European Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1007/s41999-018-0130-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 89-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cindry Ramírez-Fuentes ◽

Patrícia Mínguez-Blasco ◽

Fabián Ostiz ◽

Dolores Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽

Monique Messaggi-Sartor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Quadriceps Strength ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Ultrasound Assessment ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

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Central Tendon Injury Impairs Regional Neuromuscular Activation of the Rectus Femoris Muscle

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports9110150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 150

Author(s):

Yoshiaki Kubo ◽

Kohei Watanabe ◽

Koichi Nakazato ◽

Koji Koyama ◽

Kenji Hiranuma

Keyword(s):

Functional Role ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Tendon Injury ◽

Proximal Region ◽

Neuromuscular Activation ◽

Injured Region ◽

History Of ◽

Hip Flexion ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

We aimed to uncover which rectus femoris strain injury types affect regional activation within the rectus femoris. The rectus femoris has a region-specific functional role; the proximal region of the rectus femoris contributes more than the middle and distal regions during hip flexion. Although a history of strain injury modifies the region-specific functional role within the rectus femoris, it was not obvious which rectus femoris strain injury types affect regional activation within it. We studied 12 soccer players with a history of rectus femoris strain injury. Injury data were obtained from a questionnaire survey and magnetic resonance imaging. To confirm the region-specific functional role of the rectus femoris, surface multichannel electromyographic signals were recorded. Accordingly, eight legs had a history of central tendon injury, four had a history of myofascial junction injury, and four had a healed strain injury. When the injury was limited to the central tendon, the region-specific functional role disappeared. The region-specific functional role was confirmed when the injury was outside the central part. The neuromuscular function was also inhibited when the longitudinal range of the injured region was long. Our findings suggest that a central tendon injury with a long injury length impairs regional neuromuscular activation of the rectus femoris muscle.

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A modified longitudinally split segmental rectus femoris muscle flap transfer for facial reanimation: Anatomic basis and clinical applications

Yearbook of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery ◽

10.1016/s1535-1513(08)70508-3 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2008 ◽

pp. 42-43

Author(s):

S.H. Miller

Keyword(s):

Muscle Flap ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Flap Transfer ◽

Facial Reanimation ◽

Anatomic Basis ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

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Real-time measurement of rectus femoris muscle kinematics during drop jump using ultrasound imaging: A preliminary study

2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society ◽

10.1109/embc.2012.6347080 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

A. Eranki ◽

N. Cortes ◽

Z. G. Ferencek ◽

J. J. Kim ◽

S. Sikdar

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Time Measurement ◽

Drop Jump ◽

Real Time Measurement ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

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ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHT RECTUS FEMORIS MUSCLE DURING AN IMPOSED STRETCH AND ITS EFFECT ON THE LEFT RECTUS FEMORIS AND LEFT BICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLES

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/00005768-198315020-00334 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 159

Author(s):

T. Cody

Keyword(s):

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Electromyographic Analysis ◽

The Right ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

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A Comparison of 2 Techniques for Measuring Rectus Femoris Muscle Thickness in Cerebral Palsy

Pediatric Physical Therapy ◽

10.1097/pep.0b013e31825bcb77 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 218-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ashley P. Dew ◽

Noelle G. Moreau

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

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Electromyographic Analysis of Traditional and Nontraditional Abdominal Exercises: Implications for Rehabilitation and Training

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/86.5.656 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 86 (5) ◽

pp. 656-671 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Rafael F Escamilla ◽

Eric Babb ◽

Ryan DeWitt ◽

Patrick Jew ◽

Peter Kelleher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Latissimus Dorsi ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Rectus Abdominis ◽

Oblique Muscle ◽

Emg Activity ◽

Internal Oblique ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle ◽

Roll Out

Abstract Background and Purpose. Performing nontraditional abdominal exercises with devices such as abdominal straps, the Power Wheel, and the Ab Revolutionizer has been suggested as a way to activate abdominal and extraneous (nonabdominal) musculature as effectively as more traditional abdominal exercises, such as the crunch and bent-knee sit-up. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of traditional and nontraditional abdominal exercises in activating abdominal and extraneous musculature. Subjects. Twenty-one men and women who were healthy and between 23 and 43 years of age were recruited for this study. Methods. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activity from the upper and lower rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique, rectus femoris, latissimus dorsi, and lumbar paraspinal muscles while each exercise was performed. The EMG data were normalized to maximum voluntary muscle contractions. Differences in muscle activity were assessed by a 1-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results. Upper and lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and latissimus dorsi muscle EMG activity were highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees. External oblique muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out) and hanging knee-up with straps. Rectus femoris muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up. Lumbar paraspinal muscle EMG activity was low and similar among exercises. Discussion and Conclusion. The Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees not only were the most effective exercises in activating abdominal musculature but also were the most effective in activating extraneous musculature. The relatively high rectus femoris muscle activity obtained with the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up may be problematic for some people with low back problems.

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