Changes in muscle architecture on ultrasound in patients early after stroke

BACKGROUND: Early muscle changes are believed to occur in patients with stroke. However, there are insufficient data on the changes in muscle mass and architecture of these patients. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates differences in ultrasound-derived muscle architecture parameters of the hemiplegic upper and lower limbs in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study, which recruited 40 adult patients who had experienced a first ever unilateral stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), with a duration of < 1 month post stroke. The brachialis, vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius on both the hemiplegic and normal side were evaluated via ultrasound. We recorded clinical variables including Motricity Index, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM)-walk. RESULTS: We found reduced mean muscle thickness (p < 0.001) and increased echo intensity (p < 0.001) in the brachialis muscle, increased echo intensity (p = 0.002) in the vastus lateralis muscle, and reduced muscle thickness (p < 0.001) with increased echo intensity (p < 0.001) in the medial gastrocnemius muscle compared to the normal side. There were no significant correlations between ultrasound findings and Motricity Index. CONCLUSIONS: We report changes in ultrasound-derived muscle architecture in the hemiplegic limbs of patients with subacute stroke, with consistent findings of decreased muscle mass and increased echo intensity.

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Muscle Thickness and Echo Intensity by Ultrasonography and Cognitive and Physical Dimensions in Older Adults

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11081471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1471

Author(s):

Alvaro Mateos-Angulo ◽

Alejandro Galán-Mercant ◽

Antonio Ignacio Cuesta-Vargas

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Biceps Brachii ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Echo Intensity ◽

Physical Dimensions

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between muscle thickness and echo intensity with cognitive and physical dimensions like functional capacity measured in older people. This cross-sectional study involved 20 older adults (15 women and 5 men, mean age ± SD: 85 ± 7 years, body mass index: 25 ± 3 kg/m2) from a geriatric centre in Malaga (Spain). Anthropometric measurements, cognitive assessment with Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Motor Memory test, Physical Performance with Short Physical Performance Battery, and muscle strength were tested. Additionally, using B-mode ultrasonography, images of wrist flexors, biceps brachii, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were captured, and muscle thickness and echo intensity variables were extracted. An association between muscle parameters assessed by ultrasonography and cognitive and physical dimensions were found in older people. Echo intensity was the best predictor in a set of regression models with different muscle parameters and a battery of cognitive and physical tests in older people. Echo intensity adjusted by handgrip strength could be a low cost and ambulatory index and an indirect and reversible indicator of functional capacity.

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Effects of Rest Position on Morphology of the Vastus Lateralis and Its Relationship with Lower-Body Strength and Power

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk4030064 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 64 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alyssa N. Varanoske ◽

Nicholas A. Coker ◽

Bri-Ana D.I. Johnson ◽

Tal Belity ◽

Gerald T. Mangine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Lower Body ◽

Echo Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Performance Variables ◽

Body Strength ◽

And Performance ◽

Subcutaneous Adipose

Ultrasonography of the lower body typically encompasses supine rest due to fluid shifts affecting tissue size and composition. However, vastus lateralis (VL) examination is completed in the lateral recumbent position, and this positional change may influence morphology and its ability to predict function. This study aimed to examine the effect of position on VL morphology and its relationship with lower-body performance. Cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), echo intensity (UnCorEI), subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SFT), and echo intensity corrected for SFT (CorEI) were assessed in 31 resistance-trained males (23.0 ± 2.1 yrs; 1.79 ± 0.08 m; 87.4 ± 11.7 kg) immediately after transitioning from standing to supine (IP), after 15 min of standing (ST), and after 15 min of rest in three recumbent positions: supine (SUP), dominant lateral recumbent (DLR), non-dominant lateral recumbent (NDLR). Participants also completed unilateral vertical jumps, isometric/isokinetic tests, and a one-repetition maximum leg press. CSA, MT, PA, and SFT were greater in ST compared to NDLR, DLR, and SUP (p < 0.05). CSA, UnCorEI, and CorEI were different between recumbent positions; however no differences were observed for MT, PA, and SFT. Different magnitudes of relationships were observed between muscle morphological characteristics measured after rest in different positions and performance variables. Muscle morphology in IP generally appears to be the best predictor of performance for most variables, although utilizing the NDLR and DLR positions may provide comparable results, whereas morphology measured in ST and SUP provide weaker relationships with physical performance. IP also requires less time and fewer requirements on the technician and subject, thus researchers should consider this positioning for VL examination.

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Vastus lateralis muscle architecture to estimate knee extension moment of older individuals

Motriz Revista de Educação Física ◽

10.1590/s1980-65742015000400013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 428-435

Author(s):

Guilherme Auler Brodt ◽

Jeam Marcel Geremia ◽

Mônica de Oliveira Melo ◽

Marco Aurélio Vaz ◽

Jefferson Fagundes Loss

Keyword(s):

Fiber Type ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Biomechanical Model ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Lateralis Muscle ◽

Muscle Moments ◽

The Individual

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the knee extension moment of older individuals with the muscle moment estimated through a biomechanical model. This was accomplished by using (1) the specific muscle architecture data of individuals, and (2) the generic muscle architecture available in the literature. The muscle force estimate was determined using a model with the muscle architecture from cadavers and the individual vastus lateralis muscle architecture of sixteen older volunteers. For the muscle moment comparison, all of the volunteers performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) in five different knee extension position angles. The architectural data was acquired using both resonance and ultrasound imaging. Both estimated muscle moments (generic and individual) were higher than the experimental. The architecture of the other vastii may be necessary to make the model more accurate for the older population. Although other factors inherent to ageing, such as co-contractions, fiber type percentage, and passive forces are not considered in the model, they could be responsible for the differences between moments in older people.

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Efeitos agudos do alongamento estático passivo sobre a arquitetura muscular do vasto lateral de jovens saudáveis

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2017v19n5p585 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 585

Author(s):

Eurico Peixoto César ◽

Letícia De Oliveira Teixeira ◽

Daniel Vieira Braña Côrtes de Souza ◽

Paulo Sergio Chagas Gomes

Keyword(s):

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Ultrasound Images ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Fascicle Length ◽

Knee Position ◽

Heel Contact ◽

Lateralis Muscle ◽

Before And After

The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of passive static stretching (PSS) on the fascicle length (FL) and fascicle angle (FA) of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) in two different joint positions. Twelve physically active men (26.9 ± 7.5 years, 178.6 ± 7.0 cm, and 82.5 ± 16.8 kg) were placed in the prone position for the acquisition of ultrasound images (US) of VL, registered with extended and totally flexed knee up to the heel contact with the gluteus, before and after a PSS routine comprised of three 30-s repetitions maintained in the maximal discomfort position as reported by the participant. Results of the paired t-test indicated an increase in FL (16.2%; p = 0.012) and reduction in FA (15.5%; p = 0.003) in pre vs. post stretching comparisons for the extended knee position. There was also a significant increase in FL (34%; p = 0.0001) and reduction in FA (25%; p = 0.0007) when compared the extended knee vs. flexed knee positions. There were no significant differences in muscle architecture variables for the flexed knee position. The results showed high and moderate correlation of FL and FA for the extended (r = -0.89 and r = -0.74) and flexed knee (r = -0.76 and r = -0.78) position, pre and post stretching, respectively. It was concluded that the static stretching acutely affects the vastus lateralis muscle architecture only in the extended knee position, but not in the flexed knee position.

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Force–Time Characteristics of Dynamic and Isometric Muscle Actions: Association with Muscle Architecture in Female Athletes

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11115272 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 5272

Author(s):

Vasiliki Gaspari ◽

Gregory C. Bogdanis ◽

Ioli Panidi ◽

Georgia Giannakopoulou ◽

Gerasimos Terzis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Female Athletes ◽

Average Rate ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Rate Of Force Development ◽

Fascicle Length ◽

Force Development ◽

Force Time ◽

Muscle Actions

The association between force–time characteristics of isometric leg press (ILP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) with vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture, was examined in 19 female athletes (aged 23.2 ± 5.4 years). Peak force (PF), average rate of force development (ARFD) and rate of force development (RFD) at different time epochs were calculated from the force–time curve, as well as CMJ jump height and power. Significant correlations were found between ILP-PF and CMJ power (r = 0.658, p < 0.01), while both variables were correlated with VL thickness and fascicle length (r = 0.471 to 0.648, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were also observed between ILP-RFD epochs and VL fascicle length (r = 0.565 to 0.646, p < 0.05) and between CMJ height with VL thickness (r = 0.523, p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive correlations were found between ILP and CMJ in ARFD (r = 0.625, p < 0.01) and RFD epochs (r = 0.464 to 0.566, p < 0.05). ILP-PF and muscle thickness accounted for 52.8% (p = 0.002) of the variance in CMJ power. These results suggest that isometric force time characteristics are associated with power generation during dynamic muscle actions. Furthermore, VL muscle thickness and fascicle length are associated with rapid force production in female athletes, irrespective of the type of muscle action.

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Skeletal muscle oxidative function in vivo and ex vivo in athletes with marked hypertrophy from resistance training

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00883.2012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 114 (11) ◽

pp. 1527-1535 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Desy Salvadego ◽

Rossana Domenis ◽

Stefano Lazzer ◽

Simone Porcelli ◽

Jörn Rittweger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Mitochondrial Respiration ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Whole Body ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Oxidative Function

Oxidative function during exercise was evaluated in 11 young athletes with marked skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by long-term resistance training (RTA; body mass 102.6 ± 7.3 kg, mean ± SD) and 11 controls (CTRL; body mass 77.8 ± 6.0 kg). Pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2) and vastus lateralis muscle fractional O2 extraction (by near-infrared spectroscopy) were determined during an incremental cycle ergometer (CE) and one-leg knee-extension (KE) exercise. Mitochondrial respiration was evaluated ex vivo by high-resolution respirometry in permeabilized vastus lateralis fibers obtained by biopsy. Quadriceps femoris muscle cross-sectional area, volume (determined by magnetic resonance imaging), and strength were greater in RTA vs. CTRL (by ∼40%, ∼33%, and ∼20%, respectively). V̇o2peak during CE was higher in RTA vs. CTRL (4.05 ± 0.64 vs. 3.56 ± 0.30 l/min); no difference between groups was observed during KE. The O2 cost of CE exercise was not different between groups. When divided per muscle mass (for CE) or quadriceps muscle mass (for KE), V̇o2 peak was lower (by 15–20%) in RTA vs. CTRL. Vastus lateralis fractional O2 extraction was lower in RTA vs. CTRL at all work rates, during both CE and KE. RTA had higher ADP-stimulated mitochondrial respiration (56.7 ± 23.7 pmol O2·s−1·mg−1 ww) vs. CTRL (35.7 ± 10.2 pmol O2·s−1·mg−1 ww) and a tighter coupling of oxidative phosphorylation. In RTA, the greater muscle mass and maximal force and the enhanced mitochondrial respiration seem to compensate for the hypertrophy-induced impaired peripheral O2 diffusion. The net results are an enhanced whole body oxidative function at peak exercise and unchanged efficiency and O2 cost at submaximal exercise, despite a much greater body mass.

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Reliability of a semi-automated algorithm for the vastus lateralis muscle architecture measurement based on ultrasound images

European Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1007/s00421-017-3769-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 118 (2) ◽

pp. 291-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Robert Marzilger ◽

Kirsten Legerlotz ◽

Chrystalla Panteli ◽

Sebastian Bohm ◽

Adamantios Arampatzis

Keyword(s):

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Ultrasound Images ◽

Automated Algorithm ◽

Lateralis Muscle

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Changes in Muscle Architecture of Vastus Lateralis Muscle After an Alpine Snowboarding Race

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0000000000001469 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 254-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gianluca Vernillo ◽

Cesare Pisoni ◽

Luca M. Sconfienza ◽

Gabriele Thiébat ◽

Stefano Longo

Keyword(s):

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Lateralis Muscle

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Rate of Force Development and Muscle Architecture after Fast and Slow Velocity Eccentric Training

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7020041 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 41 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Angeliki-Nikoletta Stasinaki ◽

Nikolaos Zaras ◽

Spyridon Methenitis ◽

Gregory Bogdanis ◽

Gerasimos Terzis

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Muscle Architecture ◽

Rate Of Force Development ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Eccentric Training ◽

Fascicle Length ◽

Force Development ◽

Muscle Fascicle ◽

Slow Velocity

The aim of the study was to investigate the rate of force development (RFD) and muscle architecture early adaptations in response to training with fast- or slow-velocity eccentric squats. Eighteen young novice participants followed six weeks (two sessions/week) of either fast-velocity (Fast) or slow-velocity (Slow) squat eccentric-only training. Fast eccentric training consisted of nine sets of nine eccentric-only repetitions at 70% of 1-RM with <1 s duration for each repetition. Slow eccentric training consisted of five sets of six eccentric-only repetitions at 90% of 1-RM with ~4 sec duration for each repetition. Before and after training, squat 1-RM, countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric leg press RFD, and vastus lateralis muscle architecture were evaluated. Squat 1-RM increased by 14.5 ± 7.0% (Fast, p < 0.01) and by 5.4 ± 5.1% (Slow, p < 0.05). RFD and fascicle length increased significantly in the Fast group by 10–19% and 10.0 ± 6.2%, p < 0.01, respectively. Muscle thickness increased only in the Slow group (6.0 ± 6.8%, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the training induced changes in fascicle length and RFD. These results suggest that fast eccentric resistance training may be more appropriate for increases in rapid force production compared to slow eccentric resistance training, and this may be partly due to increases in muscle fascicle length induced by fast eccentric training.

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The Influence of Sonographer Experience on Skeletal Muscle Image Acquisition and Analysis

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk6040091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Joshua C. Carr ◽

Gena R. Gerstner ◽

Caleb C. Voskuil ◽

Joel E. Harden ◽

Dustin Dunnick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Image Analysis ◽

Interrater Reliability ◽

Biceps Brachii ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Image Acquisition ◽

Training Session ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Echo Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional

The amount of experience with ultrasonography may influence measurement outcomes while images are acquired or analyzed. The purpose of this study was to identify the interrater reliability of ultrasound image acquisition and image analysis between experienced and novice sonographers and image analysts, respectively. Following a brief hands-on training session (2 h), the experienced and novice sonographers and analysts independently performed image acquisition and analyses on the biceps brachii, vastus lateralis, and medial gastrocnemius in a sample of healthy participants (n = 17). Test–retest reliability statistics were computed for muscle thickness (transverse and sagittal planes), muscle cross-sectional area, echo intensity and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. The results show that image analysis experience generally has a greater impact on measurement outcomes than image acquisition experience. Interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size during image acquisition was generally good–excellent (ICC2,1: 0.82–0.98), but poor–moderate for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.43–0.77). For image analyses, interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size for the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii was poor–moderate (ICC2,1: 0.48–0.70), but excellent for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.90–0.98). Our findings have important implications for laboratories and clinics where members possess varying levels of ultrasound experience.

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