TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle plantar flexors, muscle function during walking and maximal strength in people with neuromuscular diseases
AU - Waterval, N.F.J.
AU - Meekes, V.L.
AU - Hooijmans, M.T.
AU - Froeling, M.
AU - Jaspers, R.T.
AU - Oudeman, J.
AU - Nederveen, A.J.
AU - Brehm, M.A.
AU - Nollet, F.
N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds [grant number W.OR 14–21 ] and Amsterdam Movement Sciences, which were not involved in any way during the study and in writing this manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors
PY - 2022/4/1
Y1 - 2022/4/1
N2 - AbstractBackground: Progression of plantar flexor weakness in neuromuscular diseases is usually monitored by muscle strength measurements, although they poorly relate to muscle function during walking. Pathophysiological changes such as intramuscular adipose tissue affect dynamic muscle function independent from isometric strength. Diffusion tensor imaging and T2 imaging are quantitative MRI measures reflecting muscular pathophysiological changes, and are therefore potential biomarkers to monitor plantar flexor functioning during walking in people with neuromuscular diseases.Methods: In fourteen individuals with plantar flexor weakness diffusion tensor imaging and T2 scans of the plantar flexors were obtained, and the diffusion indices fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity calculated. With a dynamometer, maximal isometric plantar flexor strength was measured. 3D gait analysis was used to assess maximal ankle moment and power during walking.Findings: Fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity and T2 relaxation time all moderately correlated with maximal plantar flexor strength (r > 0.512). Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were not related with ankle moment or power (r < 0.288). T2 relaxation time was strongly related to ankle moment (r = -0.789) and ankle power (r = -0.798), and moderately related to maximal plantar flexor strength (r < 0.600).Interpretation: In conclusion, T2 relaxation time, indicative of multiple pathophysiological changes, was strongly related to plantar flexor function during walking, while fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity, indicative of fiber size, only related to maximal plantar flexor strength. This indicates that these measures may be suitable to monitor muscle function and gain insights into the pathophysiological changes underlying a poor plantar flexor functioning during gait in people with neuromuscular diseases.Keywords: Calf muscle weakness; Diffusion tensor imaging; Muscle strength; Neuromuscular diseases; T2 imaging.
AB - AbstractBackground: Progression of plantar flexor weakness in neuromuscular diseases is usually monitored by muscle strength measurements, although they poorly relate to muscle function during walking. Pathophysiological changes such as intramuscular adipose tissue affect dynamic muscle function independent from isometric strength. Diffusion tensor imaging and T2 imaging are quantitative MRI measures reflecting muscular pathophysiological changes, and are therefore potential biomarkers to monitor plantar flexor functioning during walking in people with neuromuscular diseases.Methods: In fourteen individuals with plantar flexor weakness diffusion tensor imaging and T2 scans of the plantar flexors were obtained, and the diffusion indices fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity calculated. With a dynamometer, maximal isometric plantar flexor strength was measured. 3D gait analysis was used to assess maximal ankle moment and power during walking.Findings: Fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity and T2 relaxation time all moderately correlated with maximal plantar flexor strength (r > 0.512). Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were not related with ankle moment or power (r < 0.288). T2 relaxation time was strongly related to ankle moment (r = -0.789) and ankle power (r = -0.798), and moderately related to maximal plantar flexor strength (r < 0.600).Interpretation: In conclusion, T2 relaxation time, indicative of multiple pathophysiological changes, was strongly related to plantar flexor function during walking, while fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity, indicative of fiber size, only related to maximal plantar flexor strength. This indicates that these measures may be suitable to monitor muscle function and gain insights into the pathophysiological changes underlying a poor plantar flexor functioning during gait in people with neuromuscular diseases.Keywords: Calf muscle weakness; Diffusion tensor imaging; Muscle strength; Neuromuscular diseases; T2 imaging.
KW - Calf muscle weakness
KW - Diffusion tensor imaging
KW - Muscle strength
KW - Neuromuscular diseases
KW - T2 imaging
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125465411&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2022.105609
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2022.105609
M3 - Article
C2 - 35247697
SN - 0268-0033
VL - 94
SP - 1
EP - 7
JO - Clinical Biomechanics
JF - Clinical Biomechanics
M1 - 105609
ER -