Insights into developmental muscle metabolism through the use of 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a review.

(31)phosphorous-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) has become an extremely valuable technique to investigate changes in muscle metabolism noninvasively and in vivo. The purpose of this article is to critically review how (31)P-MRS has contributed to current understanding of muscle metabolic function in healthy children and adolescents. In addition, an overview of the basic principles of (31)P-MRS and its application to the study of muscle metabolism is provided and discussed in relation to child-specific methodological concerns when using this technique.