BACKGROUND

Different measures to assess muscle size - magnetic resonance (MR) derived thigh muscle volume and d3-creatine dilution derived muscle mass (DCr muscle mass) - may have similar associations with strength, power, physical performance, fitness, and functional limitations in older adults.

METHODS

Men (N=345) and women (N=482) aged ≥70 years from the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging completed exams including leg extension strength (1-repetition max) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess fitness (VOpeak). Correlations and adjusted regression models stratified by sex were used to assess the association between muscle size measures and study outcomes; we tested for sex interactions.

RESULTS

DCr muscle mass and MR thigh muscle volume were correlated (men: r=0.62, women: r=0.51, p<.001). Lower DCr muscle mass and lower MR thigh muscle volume were associated with lower strength and lower VOpeak in both men and women; DCr muscle mass was more strongly associated with strength in men than in women (p-int<0.05). There were correlations, though less consistent, between muscle size or mass with physical performance and function. Associations between the muscle size measures and the study outcomes occasionally varied by sex, and associations of MR thigh muscle volume were, at times, slightly more strongly associated with the study outcomes than was DCr muscle mass.

CONCLUSIONS

Less muscle -measured by either DCr muscle mass or MR thigh muscle volume - was associated with lower strength and worse performance. Varied associations by sex and assessment method suggest consideration be given to which measurement to use in future studies.