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Precision Errors and Monitoring Time Interval in Pediatric Muscle Imaging and Neuromuscular Performance Assessment
Yuwen Zheng1, Joel L Lanovaz1, James J D Johnston2
1College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Insights
Precision errors in imaging muscle properties and neuromuscular performance in children range from 1-14%. These measures are suitable for ~2-year follow-up, with maximal pushup force being more repeatable in mature children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physiology
- Sports science
- Biomedical imaging
Background:
- Accurate assessment of pediatric muscle properties and neuromuscular performance is crucial for monitoring growth and development.
- Understanding the precision and reliability of imaging techniques and performance tests is essential for longitudinal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify precision errors and optimal monitoring intervals for imaged muscle properties and neuromuscular performance in children.
- To investigate the influence of growth-related factors, such as maturity and anthropometric changes, on measurement precision.
Main Methods:
- Involved two cohorts of children (n=35 and n=40) aged ~10.5 years.
- Assessed muscle properties (area, density) using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and neuromuscular performance (maximal pushup, grip force, jump tests).
- Calculated precision errors (coefficient of variation) and analyzed associations with maturity, time interval, and anthropometric changes.
Main Results:
- Muscle imaging measures showed precision errors between 1.3% and 14%.
- Monitoring time intervals were generally 1-2.6 years, with exceptions for muscle density.
- A significant association was found between precision errors and maturity for maximal pushup force (rho=-0.349, p=0.046).
Conclusions:
- Imaged muscle properties and neuromuscular performance metrics demonstrate acceptable precision (1-14%) for follow-up assessments.
- These measures are suitable for monitoring children over approximately 2-year intervals, with muscle density requiring longer periods.
- Maximal pushup force exhibited greater repeatability in more mature children, suggesting age-related differences in performance reliability.
Objectives:
To determine precision errors and monitoring time intervals in imaged muscle properties and neuromuscular performance, and to explore growth-related factors associated with precision errors in children.
Methods:
We included 35 children (mean age 10.5yrs) in the precision study cohort and 40 children (10.7yrs) in the follow-up study cohort. We assessed forearm and lower leg muscle properties (area, density) with peripheral quantitative computed tomography. We measured neuromuscular performance via maximal pushup, grip force, countermovement and standing long jump force, power, and impulse along with long jump length. We calculated precision errors (root-mean-squared coefficient of variation) from the precision cohort and monitoring time intervals using annual changes from the follow-up cohort. We explored associations between precision errors (coefficient of variation) and maturity, time interval (between repeated measures), and anthropometric changes using Spearman's rank correlation (p<0.05).
Results:
Muscle measures exhibited precision errors of 1.3-14%. Monitoring time intervals were 1-2.6yrs, except muscle density (>43yrs). We identified only one association between precision errors and maturity (maximal pushup force: rho=-0.349; p=0.046).
Conclusions:
Imaging muscle properties and neuromuscular performance measures had precision errors of 1-14% and appeared suitable for follow-up on ~2yr scales (except muscle density). Maximal pushup force appeared more repeatable in mature children.
