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A profile of reference data for shear modulus for lower limb muscles in typically developing children

Miran Goo1, Kylie Tucker1, Leanne M Johnston2

  • 1The University of Queensland, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|March 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Shear modulus in children's lower limb muscles increases with muscle length and age. This study provides reference data for shear wave elastography in pediatric muscle assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Pediatric Physiology

Background:

  • Shear wave elastography (SWE) measures muscle stiffness via shear modulus.
  • Standardized methods and normative data are crucial for pediatric SWE applications.
  • This study addresses the need for reference data in typically developing children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the behavior of lower limb muscle shear modulus in children.
  • To establish reference data and clinical assessment recommendations for pediatric SWE.
  • To investigate the influence of muscle length, age, sex, and BMI on muscle shear modulus.

Main Methods:

  • Forty-one typically developing children underwent SWE of four lower limb muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, tibialis anterior).
  • Assessments were performed at both short and long muscle lengths.
  • Data were analyzed for correlations with age, sex, BMI, and Net-Longitudinal Tension Angle.

Main Results:

  • Shear modulus was significantly higher at longer muscle lengths for all tested muscles (P < 0.001).
  • Tibialis anterior shear modulus correlated positively with age (r = 0.39-0.42, P = 0.01).
  • Shear modulus tended to increase with Net-Longitudinal Tension Angle and was higher in children than adults for some muscles.

Conclusions:

  • Lower limb muscle shear modulus in children increases with muscle length and Net-Longitudinal Tension Angle.
  • Reference data and standardized protocols are recommended for consistent pediatric SWE assessments.
  • While age shows some correlation, further research is needed to fully understand age-related changes and other factors.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenMuscle stiffnessMuscle toneShear modulusShear wave elastographyUltrasound

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