Echo Intensity Versus Muscle Function Correlations in Older Adults are Influenced by Subcutaneous Fat Thickness

Recently, an equation that allows investigators to correct echo intensity for subcutaneous fat was developed. We evaluated correlations between uncorrected and corrected echo intensity versus measures of lower-extremity function. Twenty-three older adults (11 men, 12 women; mean age = 72 y) participated. B-Mode ultrasonography was used to quantify rectus femoris echo intensity and subcutaneous fat thickness. Knee extensor isometric peak torque and rate of torque development at 200 ms (RTD200) were determined (joint angle = 90°). Fast gait speed was evaluated at 10- and 400-m distances. Partial correlations between normalized peak torque, RTD200 and 10- and 400-m gait speed versus uncorrected echo intensity were weak and insignificant. Correction for subcutaneous fat strengthened the correlations (peak torque r = −0.500, RTD200 r = −0.425, 10-m r = −0.409, 400-m r = −0.410). Correcting echo intensity values for subcutaneous fat strengthened the associations with lower-extremity muscle function in older adults.