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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue
08:52

3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue

Published on: November 27, 2017

Methodological issues related to thickness-based muscle size evaluation.

Ryota Akagi1, Soichiro Iwanuma, Masato Fukuoka

  • 1Department of Sports Sciences, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Tokyo, Japan. carp_crespo_0522@ruri.waseda.jp

Journal of Physiological Anthropology
|August 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Thickness measurements for muscle size can be inaccurate in field studies due to resting muscle slackness. This study found thickness measurements correlate better with actual muscle size during contraction than at rest.

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Area of Science:

  • Kinesiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Muscle size is often evaluated using thickness in field studies.
  • This method may be prone to inaccuracies due to variations in muscle state.
  • Accurate muscle size assessment is crucial for understanding muscle function and adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reliability of thickness-based muscle size evaluation.
  • To compare muscle thickness and cross-sectional area at rest versus during contraction.
  • To identify potential errors in field-based muscle measurements.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure elbow flexor dimensions in 11 young men.
  • Measurements included cross-sectional area, thickness, and width at various upper arm locations.

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  • Data were collected both at rest and during 30% maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

    • Main Results:

    • Muscle thickness increased, while width decreased during contraction compared to rest.
    • Correlation between thickness and cross-sectional area was significantly lower at rest (r=0.551-0.856) than during contraction (r=0.711-0.922).
    • Muscle slackness at rest likely contributes to measurement discrepancies.

    Conclusions:

    • Thickness-based muscle size measurements at rest are subject to errors due to muscle slackness.
    • Muscle thickness is a more reliable indicator of muscle size during voluntary contraction.
    • Field studies using simple thickness measurements may overestimate or underestimate true muscle size at rest.