Age‐related changes in human skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture assessed by diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging and their association with muscle strength

Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) offers objective measures of muscle characteristics, providing insights into age-related changes. We used DT-MRI to probe skeletal microstructure and architecture in a large healthy-aging cohort, with the aim characterizing differences comparing these strength. recruited 94 participants (43 female; median age = 56, range 22-89 years) measured parameters-fractional anisotropy (FA) mean diffusivity (MD)-in 12 thigh muscles, parameters-pennation angle, fascicle length, fiber curvature, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA)-in rectus femoris (RF) biceps longus (BFL). Knee extension flexion torques were also for comparison measures. FA MD associated (β 0.33, p 0.001, R2 0.10; β -0.36, < 0.12), was negatively Type I proportions from literature -0.70, 0.024, 0.43). Pennation PCSA RF -0.22, 0.26, -0.23, -0.31, respectively; 0.05), while BFL only curvature length 0.36, -0.40, 0.001). In RF, pennation angle strength 0.29, 0.46, 0.01); BFL, 0.43; Our results show architectural changes aging intermuscular microstructure. may prove useful elucidating early stages sarcopenia monitoring interventions aimed at preventing age-associated microstructural that lead functional impairment.