Forearm Muscle Area Research Articles

A comparative study on effects of chronic alcoholism on anthropometric changes in sedentary human beings

Background: Chronic alcoholism has devastating consequences on every system of the human body. Anthropometric measurements indirectly signify the overall health and well-being of the individuals. Effects of alcoholism on human body can be assessed by studying its effects on anthropometric parameters. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to find out and compare the effects of chronic alcoholism on anthropometric measurements between alcoholic sedentary (Group 1) and non-alcoholic sedentary (Group 2) human beings. Materials and Methods: A sample size of 100, age- and sex-matched sedentary individuals are recruited for the study and are categorized into Group 1 (50 alcoholic) and the Group 2 (non-alcoholic). Anthropometric measurements were measured and compared using student’s t-test. Results: The mean weight was 63.270 Kg in alcoholics and 66.220 Kg in non-alcoholic. The mean mid arm circumference (MAC) was 26.120 cm in alcoholics and 27.180 cm in non-alcoholic. The mean maximum fore arm circumference (MFAC) was 25.020 in alcoholics and 25.720 cm in non-alcoholic. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.630 kg/m2 in alcoholics and 24.531 kg/m2 in non-alcoholic. The mean fore arm muscle area (FAMA) was 40.945 cm2 in alcoholics and 43.263 cm2 in non-alcoholic. The mean corrected FAMA (CFAMA) was 30.907 cm2 in alcoholics and 33.263 cm2 in non-alcoholic. The mean fore arm skin fold thickness (FSFT) was 7.680 mm in alcoholics and 7.840 mm in non-alcoholic. The mean MM was 18.997 in alcoholics and 20.226 in non-alcoholic. Statistical analysis was done by student t-test and P ˂ 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Parameters such as weight, BMI, FAMA, CFAMA, FSFT, MFAC MAC, and MM were significantly lower in alcoholics than non-alcoholics (P ˂ 0.05). Anthropometric parameter abdominal skin fold thickness (ASFT) was significantly higher in alcoholics than non-alcoholics. Conclusion: Study concludes that anthropometric measurements such as Weight, BMI, FSFT, FAMA, CFAMA, FSFT, MFAC MAC, and MM in alcoholic group were lower than non-alcoholic group. However, significant change was not observed in Height, Body Fat %, biceps skin fold thickness, Forearm length, and fore arm muscle volume. It was also observed that ASFT was higher in the alcoholic group when compared to non-alcoholic group.

Peripheral Volumetric Muscle Area and Total Body Volume in Postmenopausal Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

The effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on peripheral muscle parameters is not completely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of RA on peripheral muscle area and whole body skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) using peripheral quantitative computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study included 54 postmenopausal women with RA and 86 healthy controls. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were used to measure the muscle cross-sectional area and skeletal muscle mass. Muscle strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Additionally, the effects of RA on muscle area and density as well as the bone / muscle area ratio were analyzed using multivariate models. The muscle area index of the thigh and forearm were correlated between both groups (RA: r = 0.357, p = 0.030; and healthy controls: r = 0.608, p < 0.001) and each index correlated with SMI in RA and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Bone / muscle area ratio correlated between forearms and thighs in health controls only (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The RA group had a decreased thigh muscle area (p = 0.014); the fat area and fat muscle area ratio at the thigh and forearm were significantly increased (all p < 0.001), as well as thigh bone / muscle area ratio (p = 0.015). The RA group also had significantly lower forearm muscle density (p < 0.001). A sensitivity analysis excluding those on bisphosphonates led to similar results. Independent of RA, the thigh and forearm muscle area correlate with each other and with SMI. Differences in the bone / muscle ratio between RA and healthy controls may indicate regional muscle effects of inflammation and inactivity.

Glucocorticoids and Body Fat Inversely Associate With Bone Marrow Density of the Distal Radius in Healthy Youths.

Elevated bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) is associated with lower bone quality, higher fracture rates, and an unfavorable overall metabolic profile. Apart from age, particularly glucocorticoids (GC), body fat, and diet are discussed to influence BMAT. We hypothesized that already in healthy youths, higher fat intake, higher fat mass index (FMI), and higher GC secretion, still within the normal range, may associate with increased BMAT. In a subsample of healthy 6- to 18-year-old participants of the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study, peripheral quantitative CT of the nondominant proximal forearm was used to determine bone marrow density of the distal radius as an inverse surrogate parameter for BMAT. In those participants (n = 172) who had collected two, 24-hour urines within around one year before bone measurement, major urinary GC metabolites were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and summed up to assess daily adrenal GC secretion (ΣC21). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day weighed dietary records. FMI was anthropometrically calculated. Separate multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationships of ΣC21, FMI, and fat intake with BMAT. After controlling for confounders, such as age, energy intake, and forearm muscle area, ΣC21 (β = -0.042) and FMI (β = -0.002) showed inverse relationships with bone marrow density (P < 0.05), whereas fat intake did not associate significantly. Our results indicate that already a moderately elevated GC secretion and higher body fatness during adolescence may adversely impact BMAT, an indicator for long-term bone health.

Comparative study of anthropometric parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic human beings

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders sharing the common underlying feature of hyperglycemia. Peripheral resistance to insulin is a prominent feature of diabetes. Skeletal muscle is the primary site responsible for decreased insulin-induced glucose utilization in diabetics. Aims and Objectives: The study was done to compare the anthropometric parameters in non-diabetics and controlled diabetics. Materials and Methods: The study population consists of two groups of male participants in the age group of 30-40 years. The control group consists of 50 healthy volunteers. The test group consists of 50 controlled diabetics. Anthropometric assessment was done. Windostat version 9.2 software was used for all statistical analysis. Comparison of variables between the two study groups was done using ANOVA. Results: Partic ipants were age-matched but weight was significantly higher in diabetics. Abdominal skinfold thickness, mid arm circumference, maximum forearm circumference, and body mass index were significantly higher in diabetics than non-diabetics (P < 0.005). The forearm skinfold thickness, forearm muscle area (FAMA), corrected FAMA, and forearm muscle volume were found to be significantly higher in diabetics than non-diabetics (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The anthropometric parameters can be used as a predictor for diabetes mellitus.

Handgrip strength as determinant of upper body strength/physical fitness: a comparative study among individuals performing gymnastics (ring athletes) and gymnasium (powerlifters)

Background: This study was conducted on two different exercising groups, that is, gymnasium (powerlifters) and gymnastics (ring users). Although the type of physical activity is different, but both of the groups require stamina and coordination of central nervous system and skeletal muscles. In the two groups, the muscle strength of the upper body is remarkable and the handgrip has to be effectual for holding rings (gymnastics) and weights (gymnasium). Also, the time for which the grip can be maintained, which determines the endurance of the individual, is vital. Objective: To find the difference in handgrip strength (HGS) and handgrip endurance (HGE) among the two physically active groups. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 75 subjects, divided into three groups of 25 each, namely, gymnastics, gymnasium, and control, that is, non-exercising group. Anthropometric hand measurements and skinfold thickness, forearm circumference, and forearm muscle were taken with HGS and HGE. Statistical analysis was then done to draw inference. Result: The study revealed statistically significantly high HGS and HGE in exercising group, in comparison to the control group, also the HGS was maximum in the gymnasium group (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the forearm circumference and the forearm muscle area were maximum (p < 0.0001) and the skin fold thickness was found to be the least in the gymnasium group. The study revealed positive correlation among HGS and HGE with forearm muscle mass. Thus, the study concluded the positive effect of physical activities on HGS and the weight training of the muscles increases their efficiency due to more acquisition of strength and development. Conclusion: In view of the fact that our day-to-day activities, right from household work, official work, to sports, require good HGS, a consistent assessment of handgrip forms an integral part of rehabilitation, not only to assess the strength of muscles involved in gripping but also to apply as a tool in rehabilitating patients with variable levels of hand injuries and in many clinical conditions such as diabetes. Also, in the field of sports, it affects the performance and, therefore, can be implemented as a useful parameter by the coach in their fitness and training program.

Long-Term High Urinary Potential Renal Acid Load and Low Nitrogen Excretion Predict Reduced Diaphyseal Bone Mass and Bone Size in Children

Longitudinal diet assessment data in children suggest bone anabolic effects of protein intake and concurrent catabolic effects of dietary acid load. However, studies using valid biomarker measurements of corresponding dietary intakes are lacking. The aim of the study was to examine whether the association of long-term dietary acid load and protein intake with children's bone status can be confirmed using approved urinary biomarkers and whether these diet influences may be independent of potential bone-anabolic sex steroids. Urinary nitrogen (uN), urinary net acid excretion (uNAE), and urinary potential renal acid load (uPRAL) were quantified in 789 24-h urine samples of 197 healthy children who had at least three urine collections during the 4 yr preceding proximal forearm bone analyses by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. uPRAL was determined by subtracting measured mineral cations (sodium + potassium + calcium + magnesium) from measured nonbicarbonate anions (chloride + phosphorus + sulfate). In a subsample of 167 children, dehydroepiandrosterone metabolites were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multivariable regression models adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage, forearm muscle area, forearm length, and urinary calcium were run with uN and/or uPRAL or uNAE as predictors. uN was positively associated with bone mineral content, cortical area, periosteal circumference, and strength strain index. uPRAL (but not uNAE) showed negative associations with bone mineral content and cortical area (P < 0.05), both with and without adjustment for the dehydroepiandrosterone-derived sex steroid androstenediol. In line with dietary assessment findings, urinary biomarker analyses substantiate long-term positive effects of protein intake and concomitant negative effects of higher dietary acid load on bone status of children, independent of bone-anabolic sex steroid action.

Comparison of the effects of dietary protein, androstenediol and forearm muscle area on radial bone variables in healthy prepubertal children

Adequate dietary habits are supposed to be one of the most important modifiable factors in osteoporosis prevention. However, the importance of specific nutrients is controversial. We examined relevant nutrients which are supposed to have an impact on bone parameters and compared their effect sizes with those of two known predictors of bone development: bone-related muscle mass and androgen levels. We analysed nutritional, hormonal and anthropometric data from 107 prepubertal children participating in the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study. Diaphyseal bone mineral content (BMC), cortical area (CA), periosteal circumference, strength strain index and muscle area of the non-dominant forearm were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Data on long-term nutrient intakes (e.g. protein, Ca and vitamin D) were derived from 3 d weighed dietary records. Twenty-four hour urinary excretion rates of androgen metabolites including the sex steroid androstenediol were measured using GC-MS. Of all considered nutrients, only protein showed a trend for an association with BMC (β = +0·11; P = 0·073) and CA (β = +0·11; P = 0·056) in stepwise linear regression models. None of the other considered dietary variables was associated with bone parameters. The size of the bone anabolic effect of protein was partly comparable with that of androstenediol. Even though boys gained more bone mass in comparison with girls, the protein effect did not differ between sexes. Bone-related muscle area and sex steroids have the strongest effects on prepubertal diaphyseal bone. However, dietary protein may have a similar bone anabolic influence compared with androstenediol. In children without explicit nutrient deficits, protein seems to be the most important dietary component for diaphyseal bone status.

The Developmental Origins of Sarcopenia: Using Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography to Assess Muscle Size in Older People

A number of studies have shown strong graded positive relationships between size at birth, grip strength, and estimates of muscle mass in older people. However no studies to date have included direct measures of muscle size. We studied 313 men and 318 women born in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom between 1931 and 1939 who were still resident there and had historical records of growth in early life. Information on lifestyle was collected, and participants underwent peripheral quantitative computed tomography to directly measure forearm and calf muscle size. Birth weight was positively related to forearm muscle area in the men (r = 0.24, p <.0001) and women (r = 0.17, p =.003). There were similar but weaker associations between birth weight and calf muscle area in the men (r = 0.13, p =.03) and in the women (r = 0.17, p =.004). These relationships were all attenuated by adjustment for adult size. We present first evidence that directly measured muscle size in older men and women is associated with size at birth. This may reflect tracking of muscle size and is important because it suggests that benefit may be gained from taking a life course approach both to understanding the etiology of sarcopenia and to developing effective interventions.

Growth in bone strength, body size, and muscle size in a juvenile longitudinal sample

A longitudinal sample of 20 subjects, measured an average of 34 to 35 times each at approximately 6-month intervals from near birth through late adolescence, was used to investigate relationships between body size, muscle size, and bone structural development. The section modulus, an index of bone strength, was calculated from humeral and femoral diaphyseal breadth measurements obtained from serial radiographs. Muscle breadths of the forearm and thigh, also measured radiographically, were used to estimate muscle cross-sectional areas. Body size was assessed as the product of body weight and bone length (humeral or femoral). Stature was also investigated as a surrogate body size measure. Growth velocity in femoral strength was strongly correlated with growth velocity in body weight · femoral length ( r 2 = 0.65–0.80), very poorly correlated with growth velocity in stature ( r 2 <0.06), and weakly but significantly correlated with growth velocity in thigh muscle size ( r 2 = 0.10–.25). Growth velocity in humeral strength was moderately correlated with that for body weight · humeral length ( r 2 = 0.40–0.73), very poorly correlated with that for stature ( r 2 < 0.05), and showed a marked sex difference with forearm muscle area velocity, with males having a stronger correlation ( r 2 ≈ 0.65) and females a much weaker correlation ( r 2 ≈ 0.15). Ages at peak adolescent growth velocity were nonsignificantly different between bone strength, body weight · bone length, and muscle area, but significantly earlier for stature. Thus, while there was an early adolescent “lag” between stature and bone strength, there was no such “lag” between a more mechanically appropriate measure of body size and bone strength. “Infancy peaks” in bone strength velocities, earlier in the humerus than in the femur and not paralleled by similar changes in body size, may be the result of the initiation of walking, when mechanical loads relative to body size are changing in both the upper and lower limbs. These results argue strongly for the importance of mechanical factors in the development of the preadult skeleton. Body size is the most important element in the weight-bearing lower limb skeleton, while both body size and muscle strength are important in the upper limb, especially in males.

Maximal voluntary contraction as a functional indicator of adult chronic undernutrition.

Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using a handgrip dynamometer was assessed in seventy-two young adult males. The subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of a BMI of 18.5 kg/m2. The subjects with a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (n 38) were further divided into an underweight (UW; n 20) group and a chronically energy-deficient (CED; n 18) group. The CED subjects had significantly lower MVC (30.1, SD 5.9 kg) than either the well-nourished controls (BMI > 18.5 kg/m2: 39.8, SD 5.8 kg) or the underweight group (37.6, SD 4.9 kg). The differences between the CED and UW groups persisted even after the MVC were corrected for forearm muscle area and stature. The results suggest that MVC may be a useful functional indicator of nutritional status particularly in differentiating subjects with chronic undernutrition from individuals who are underweight and not undernourished but have similar BMI.