Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Lower Limb Biomechanical Analysis of Healthy Participants
Published on: April 15, 2020
[Evaluation of isometric force in lower limbs and body composition in preterm infants]
D Mata Zubillaga1, C Rodríguez Fernández2, L M Rodríguez Fernández2
1Unidad de Pediatría, Centro de Salud Ponferrada IV. Ponferrada, León.
Insights
Children born prematurely at 7-11 years old had lower weight and BMI but comparable strength and muscle mass to full-term peers. This study found no significant differences in physical strength or body composition between groups.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Human Physiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Musculoskeletal strength significantly impacts quality of life.
- Prematurity is hypothesized to affect both musculoskeletal structure and muscular development.
- Understanding the long-term effects of prematurity on physical capabilities is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prematurity and physical strength in children aged 7-11 years.
- To evaluate the relationship between prematurity, body composition, and muscle mass.
- To compare strength and body composition metrics between premature and full-term children.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Participants included 89 children aged 7-11 years, divided into three groups: extremely premature (birth weight ≤ 1500g), moderately premature (birth weight 1500-2000g), and full-term controls.
- Strength was assessed using a strength gauge, and body composition was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Main Results:
- Premature children exhibited lower weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores compared to controls.
- No significant differences were observed in muscle mass or overall strength between the premature and full-term groups.
- A strength-to-weight ratio analysis indicated that children could move approximately four times their body weight, with no group-specific variations.
Conclusions:
- Children born prematurely maintain comparable muscle mass and physical strength to their full-term peers between 7 and 11 years of age.
- Despite lower weight and BMI, prematurity does not appear to negatively impact strength or body composition in this age group.
- These findings suggest resilience in the musculoskeletal development of children who experienced prematurity.
Introduction:
Strength is a physical quality with a clear influence on quality of life. It is determined by the structure of the musculoskeletal system, and depends on the muscular structure. It has been described that prematurity conditions both qualities. The aims of this study are to determine whether prematurity is associated with strength or body composition and evaluate the relationship between prematurity, strength and muscle mass.
Material And Methods:
Case-control study. Participants were premature 7-to-11 year-old children and full-term birth controls. Strength was measured by a strength gauge and body composition from DEXA (duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scans. A total of 89 subjects were included and divided into three groups: 30 prematures with birth-weight ≤ 1500g, 29 prematures with birth-weight 1500-2000g, and 30 controls.
Results:
Weight and BMI z-score was lower in the premature group. No differences were found in muscular mass or strength between groups. A ratio was established between strength and weight or muscular mass. It was observed that it was possible for them to move four times their weight, without finding any differences between groups or a relationship with birth-weight.
Conclusions:
Between 7 and 11 years of age, children who were premature have lower weight and BMI than the rest of the children. However, there were no differences in body composition or strength between preterm children and controls.
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