title: Age-Related Differences in Muscle Shear Moduli in the Lower Extremity.
abstract: This study investigated the age-related differences in shear moduli of the rectus femoris muscle (RF), the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle (LG) and the soleus muscle (SOL) using shear wave ultrasound elastography. Thirty-one young individuals and 49 elderly individuals volunteered for this study. The shear modulus of RF was determined at 50% of the thigh length, and those of LG and SOL were determined at 30% of the lower leg length. RF and LG shear moduli were significantly higher in young individuals than in elderly individuals, but there was no age-related difference in SOL shear modulus. From the standpoint of an index reflecting muscle mechanical properties, it is suggested that the lower muscle shear moduli of RF and LG are the reason for the decreased explosive muscle strength in the lower extremity and the increased risk of falls for elderly individuals.
authors: College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan. Electronic address: rakagi12@sic.shibaura-it.ac.jp.
authors: Ryota
authors: R
authors: Akagi
authors: College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Yota
authors: Y
authors: Yamashita
authors: College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Yuta
authors: Y
authors: Ueyasu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle; Rectus femoris muscle; Shear modulus; Shear wave ultrasound elastography; Soleus muscle