A clinically applicable tool for rapidly estimating muscle volume using ultrasound images

This study aimed to identify a safe, rapid, and accessible method of estimating muscle volume of key lower limb muscle groups to reduce the time-demand of acquiring this measurement and potentially facilitate its application as a clinical monitoring tool.

Unilateral MRI images were acquired from the 12th thoracic vertebrae to the base of the foot in 18 recreationally active males. Panoramic B-mode ultrasound images were acquired from the same leg at the mid-hip, 25%, 50%, and 75% of thigh length, and 25% of shank length. Body mass, height, limb lengths, and circumferences at the sites corresponding to the ultrasound images were acquired. A single investigator manually analysed all images. Regression analyses were conducted to identify models for estimating volume of the hip extensor, knee extensor and flexor, and ankle plantarflexor muscle groups.

Models were developed for estimating hip extensor (SEE = 8.92%, R² = 0.690), knee extensor (SEE = 5.24%, R² = 0.707) and flexor (SEE = 7.89%, R² = 0.357), and ankle plantarflexor (SEE = 10.78%, R² = 0.387) muscle group volumes. The hip and knee extensor models showed good potential for generalisation. Systematic error was observed for the knee flexor and ankle plantarflexor models.

Hip extensor, knee extensor and flexor, and ankle plantarflexor muscle group volumes can be estimated using B-mode ultrasound images and anthropometric measurements. The error shown for each of the models was sufficient to identify previously reported differences in muscle volume due to training or injury, supporting their clinical application.