Age-Related Changes in Shear Wave Elastography Parameters of the Gastrocnemius Muscle in Association with Physical Performance in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Background/Aims: to investigate new indicators for early recognition of physical performance decline. Shear wave elastrography, a new ultrasound technique, was discussed in this study. Methods: Gastrocnemius muscle thickness and muscle stiffness were detected by traditional ultrasound and shear wave elastrography in 108 Chinese aged 20–85 years, and then analyzed with physical performance together. Results: After 70 years old, the decline rate of muscle stiffness under contractive state was significantly faster than that of muscle thickness, muscle relaxed stiffness, and physical performance indicators. The correlation analysis showed that gastrocnemius contractive stiffness was positively related with handgrip strength, step length, and fast gait speed after adjusted by age and gender. Among physical performance variants, step length had closer relationship with muscle strength than repeated chair stands. Conclusions: The detection of gastrocnemius muscle by shear wave elastography reflected the change of lower-limb muscle stiffness with aging. Muscle contractive stiffness and step length measurement supplied novel ways for muscle performance and motor function assessment.