pQCT- and ultrasound-based muscle and fat estimate errors after resistance exercise
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Publisher
American College of Sports Medicine
School
Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
29217
Abstract
Purpose: Resistance exercise increases blood flow, induces osmotic and hydrostatic fluid shifts during and immediately after exercise, and may trigger inflammatory responses for several days in the working muscle. The resultant muscle swelling can subsequently affect muscle size and quality assessments. However, the effects of muscle swelling on x-ray attenuation of adipose estimate errors are unknown.
Methods: Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and ultrasonography were used to assess muscle and adipose tissue properties of both upper arms before, 24, 48, and 72 h after unilateral resistance exercise. Recreationally active participants (n = 17) completed the exercise while their contralateral limb served as a control.
Results: Resistance exercise resulted in a significant increase in pQCT-derived muscle cross-sectional area (includes intermuscular adipose tissue [IMAT] area), muscle area (excludes IMAT area) and IMAT area, and ultrasound-derived muscle thickness at 24, 48, and 72 h. A significant decrease in pQCT-derived muscle density was also detected as well as an increase in ultrasound-derived echo intensity at 48 and 72 h. The changes in muscle area, IMAT area, and muscle density were significantly correlated with changes in echo intensity, whereas the changes in muscle cross-sectional area and IMAT area were significantly correlated with changes in muscle thickness.
Conclusion: Unaccustomed resistance exercise can cause errors in pQCT- and ultrasound-based muscle and adipose estimates for at least 72 h. These errors are the result of muscle swelling likely caused by muscle blood flow and inflammation-dependent fluid shifts in muscle. These findings may have implications for measurements in other inflammatory conditions
DOI
10.1249/MSS.0000000000001873
Access Rights
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Comments
Rowe, G. S., Blazevich, A. J., & Haff, G. G. (2019). pQCT- and ultrasound-based muscle and fat estimate errors after resistance exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(5), 1022-1031. Available here