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Validity and Reliability of 3-D Ultrasound Imaging to Measure Hamstring Muscle and Tendon Volumes
Antoine Frouin1, Hugo Guenanten2, Guillaume Le Sant3
1Nantes Université, Movement - Interactions - Performance, MIP, UR 4334, F-44000 Nantes, France; Institut Sport Atlantique (ISA), Nantes, France.
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|March 22, 2023
Summary
Three-dimensional ultrasound (3-D US) accurately measures hamstring and gracilis muscle and tendon volumes. This reliable technique shows promise for assessing strengthening interventions and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- Medical Imaging Techniques
- Biomechanical Analysis
Background:
- Accurate muscle and tendon volume measurement is crucial for assessing musculoskeletal health and response to interventions.
- Previous 3-D ultrasound (US) studies were limited to easily immersed muscles.
- The reliability and validity of 3-D US for all hamstring muscles and the gracilis remain to be fully established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity and reliability of freehand 3-D US for measuring muscle volumes of all hamstring heads and the gracilis.
- To evaluate the validity and reliability of freehand 3-D US for measuring tendon volumes of the semitendinosus and gracilis.
- To compare 3-D US measurements with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for muscle and tendon volumes.
Main Methods:
- Freehand 3-D US acquisitions were performed on 13 participants across two separate sessions.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used as a reference standard for volume comparison.
- Muscle volumes of semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris short (BFsh) and long (BFlh) heads, and gracilis (GR) were measured.
- Tendon volumes of semitendinosus (STtd) and gracilis (GRtd) were also measured.
Main Results:
- 3-D US showed minimal bias compared to MRI for muscle volume ( -1.9 mL to 1.2 mL) and tendon volume (0.01 mL to -0.03 mL).
- High reliability was observed for muscle volume measurements, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 and coefficients of variation (CV) from 1.1% to 3.4%.
- Excellent reliability was found for tendon volume measurements, with ICCs of 0.99 and CVs between 3.2% and 3.4%.
Conclusions:
- Freehand 3-D US provides a valid and reliable method for inter-day measurement of hamstring and gracilis muscle and tendon volumes.
- This imaging technique demonstrates potential as an outcome measure for evaluating strengthening interventions.
- The findings suggest 3-D US could be integrated into clinical practice for musculoskeletal assessments.
