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. 2021 Feb;33(2):291-301.
doi: 10.1007/s40520-020-01530-2. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

The effect of ageing on skeletal muscle as assessed by quantitative MR imaging: an association with frailty and muscle strength

M Farrow  1   2   3 , J Biglands  2   4 , S F Tanner  2   4 , A Clegg  5 , L Brown  6 , E M A Hensor  1   2 , P O'Connor  2 , P Emery  1   2 , A L Tan  7   8
Affiliations

The effect of ageing on skeletal muscle as assessed by quantitative MR imaging: an association with frailty and muscle strength

M Farrow et al. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Skeletal muscles undergo changes with ageing which can cause sarcopenia that can result in frailty. Quantitative MRI may detect the muscle-deficit component of frailty which could help improve the understanding of ageing muscles.

Aims: To investigate whether quantitative MRI measures of T2, fat fraction (FF), diffusion tensor imaging and muscle volume can detect differences within the muscles between three age groups, and to assess how these measures compare with frailty index, gait speed and muscle power.

Methods: 18 'young' (18-30 years), 18 'middle-aged' (31-68 years) and 18 'older' (> 69 years) healthy participants were recruited. Participants had an MRI of their dominant thigh. Knee extension and flexion power and handgrip strength were measured. Frailty (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing frailty index) and gait speed were measured in the older participants.

Results: Young participants had a lower muscle MRI T2, FF and mean diffusivity than middle-aged and older participants; middle-aged participants had lower values than older participants. Young participants had greater muscle flexion and extension power, muscle volume and stronger hand grip than middle-aged and older participants; middle-aged participants had greater values than the older participants. Quantitative MRI measurements correlated with frailty index, gait speed, grip strength and muscle power.

Discussion: Quantitative MRI and strength measurements can detect muscle differences due to ageing. Older participants had raised T2, FF and mean diffusivity and lower muscle volume, grip strength and muscle power.

Conclusions: Quantitative MRI measurements correlate with frailty and muscle function and could be used for identifying differences across age groups within muscle.

Keywords: Ageing; Frailty; MRI; Muscle; Sarcopenia; T2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Quantitative MRI measurements of young, middle-aged and older participant groups. a T2, b fat fraction, c mean diffusivity, d fractional anisotropy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Quantitative MRI of the quadriceps and correlation versus extension power for all participants (young, middle-aged and older participants combined as one). a T2, b fat fraction, c mean diffusivity, d fractional anisotropy
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Quantitative MRI of the hamstrings and correlation versus flexion power for all participants (young, middle-aged and older participants combined as one). a T2, b fat fraction, c mean diffusivity, d fractional anisotropy
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Quantitative T2 and FF MRI and frailty index correlation of older participants in the hamstrings and quadriceps. a T2 hamstrings, b T2 quadriceps, c fat fraction hamstrings, d fat fraction quadriceps
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Muscle volume and muscle power versus frailty index correlation of older participants. a Knee flexion power, b knee extension power, c muscle volume
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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