Logan Steele
There are several methods to measure muscle thickness, including the use of a measuring tape, skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Ultrasound, in particular, has emerged as a safe, reliable, and less invasive method to evaluate muscle thickness, providing direct measurements that correlate with muscle cross-sectional area. This technique has been successfully applied in various studies, including assessments of muscle thickness in adults with knee osteoarthritis and the elderly population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Ultrasound, bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging |
| Muscle type | Skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle |
| Muscle group | Hip abductors, hip adductors, knee extensors, ankle plantarflexors, quadriceps femoris |
| Body parts | Bicep, upper thigh, chest |
| Timing | Before exercise when the client is fully rested and recovered |
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What You'll Learn
Ultrasound measurements
Ultrasound is a safe, reliable, and practical method to evaluate muscle thickness. Ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness can be superior to strength testing, especially in cases where the patient experiences pain during muscle contraction.
Ultrasound scans are performed with the participant lying down with the knee fully extended and weight bags placed around the feet to keep the hip in a neutral position and ankles relaxed in a slight plantar flexion. The scanning site is marked with a skin-marking pen, and a generous amount of ultrasound water-based transmission gel is applied to the transducer, which is then placed perpendicular to the skin with the lightest contact pressure to ensure underlying tissues are not compressed.
Ultrasound has been used to measure muscle thickness in the thigh, specifically the anterior thigh, to assess sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss. Ultrasound measurements of the quadriceps muscle have also been found to be as accurate as those of computerized tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
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Using a measuring tape
To measure muscle thickness with a measuring tape, you will need a flexible tape measure that you can wrap around different body parts. A cloth measuring tape is a good option, or you could use a tape measure specifically made for taking body measurements, such as the MyoTape Body Tape Measure. Metal measuring tapes can also be used to ensure the cloth tape is accurate and has not shrunk from dampness.
When measuring muscle thickness, it is important to be consistent in your technique. The tape should be pulled so that it sits flat against the skin without compressing it. It should be pulled tight enough so that it is not loose, but not so tight that it indents the skin. The pressure you put on the tape is not important, but it should be the same each time you measure. It is also important to measure at the same time and under the same circumstances each time. For example, some people prefer to take measurements first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
When measuring the neck, measure at the smallest part, just above the Adam's apple, with the head erect and muscles relaxed. If you have a double chin, measure below it so that the tape is not on a slant. For the upper arm, flexed (biceps), raise your arm to shoulder level with your bicep fully contracted and the back of your hand facing the ceiling. Place the tape squarely around the biceps at its largest part. The tape should not be slanted. For the upper arm, straight (triceps), hold your upper arm horizontally in line with the shoulder joint and relaxed. Place the tape around the largest part, usually just below where the deltoid joins the arm.
For the forearm, measure at the largest part with the arm straight, fist clenched, and wrist straight. Do not bend the elbow or wrist. To measure the wrist, place the tape directly next to the base of the hand, between the bony knobs and the hand. Hold your hand open with the palm up, fingers straight, and hand in line with the forearm. For the chest, measure at the largest part immediately under the armpits. The tape should cross the shoulder blades in back and the nipples in front. Keep your torso erect, breathing quiet, and muscles relaxed.
For female bodybuilders, chest measurements are best taken above the level of the breasts. For the waist, measure at the smallest part, usually just above the navel, with the body erect in posture, and the abdomen neither drawn in nor protruded. For the hips, measure at the widest part, where the hips are broadest from side to side and the buttocks deepest from front to back. Keep your feet together and the muscles relaxed. For the thigh, measure at the largest part, usually in the crease just below the buttocks. Spread your feet about six inches apart and keep your body weight evenly distributed. The thighs should be relaxed, not tensed. To measure the knee, place the tape across the middle of the kneecap.
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Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
BIA devices come in various types, including hand-held, foot-to-foot, and hand-to-foot models, each requiring two contact points. The electric current passes through the body between these contact points, and the voltage drop is measured. More advanced models may use multiple electrodes (typically eight) located on the hands and feet to measure the impedance of individual body segments like the arms, legs, and torso simultaneously.
The BIA technique is based on the principle that different tissues in the body allow electric currents to travel at different speeds. Body fat (adipose tissue) causes greater resistance (impedance) than lean mass, slowing the rate at which the current travels. By measuring this impedance, BIA devices can estimate total body water (TBW), which can then be used to estimate fat-free body mass and, by difference with body weight, body fat.
While BIA is considered reasonably accurate for measuring groups, it is of limited accuracy for tracking body composition changes in individuals over time. It is not deemed sufficiently precise for recording single measurements of individuals. The accuracy of BIA measurements can be influenced by factors such as hydration level, recent exercise activity, training load, and food or drink intake. Additionally, BIA is not recommended for individuals with electronic medical implants or pregnant women.
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Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
DXA is considered superior to other imaging techniques due to its very low radiation dose, accuracy, and ease of use. It provides accurate measurements of fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) compared to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). FM values by DXA relate to the overall "chemical compartment" of triglycerides, while LM values include body proteins, body water, non-fat lipids, carbohydrates, and soft tissue minerals.
The radiation dose from a whole-body DXA scan is approximately 4-5 µSv, which is lower than the natural background dose of 6.7 µSv per day. The radiation dose depends on parameters such as tube potential, tube current, patient size, number of images, imaging speed, and scan length, some of which can be controlled by the operator.
DXA is also used to evaluate muscle mass and muscle performance. It has been found to have a good correlation with muscle thickness measurements obtained through ultrasound imaging.
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Computed tomography (CT)
CT imaging has several advantages over other techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT is faster, more widely accessible, and cheaper than MRI. Radiation exposure is also relatively low for arms and legs (0.5 mSv), although volumetric muscle measurements of the trunk are associated with higher exposure.
CT imaging can be used to measure muscle thickness in various parts of the body, including the thigh and the rectus femoris muscle in the leg. The patient is positioned supine with the leg extended and relaxed, and the measurement is taken at the midpoint between the anterosuperior iliac spine and the proximal edge of the patella, where the quadriceps femoris muscle group is visualised.
CT imaging has been used in research on muscle in older adults, particularly in the context of sarcopenia, which refers to low muscle mass and physical function. CT can provide measurements of muscle quality and mass, and it has been found to be more effective than conventional anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio, especially in obese patients.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to measure muscle thickness at home is to use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of different body parts, such as the bicep, upper thigh, or chest. Taking monthly measurements in the same places will allow you to see any changes over time. However, it is important to note that these measurements do not account for body fat and bone, so they may not provide an accurate indication of muscle thickness.
Yes, there are several other methods available for measuring muscle thickness. These include:
- Bioelectric impedance (BIA)
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
Ultrasound has emerged as a safe, reliable, and less invasive method to evaluate muscle thickness. It provides a direct measurement of muscle thickness by using sound waves to create images of the internal body structures. Ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness have been found to strongly correlate with muscle cross-sectional area, providing important information about muscle function.
