Spinal muscle area (SMA) is often employed to assess muscle functionality and is important for understanding the risk individuals may have of developing back pain or the risk of postural instability and falls.. However, handgrip strength (HGS) has also been utilized as a measure of general muscle capacity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between SMA and HGS to assess whether the latter could be used as an accurate indicator of the former. 150 participants (75 males and 75 females, aged 47–70 years) were selected from the UK Biobank dataset. Handgrip strength values were extracted and averaged over left and right values. Abdominal MRI images were examined and cross-sectional area of the erector spinae and multifidus determined at the L3/4 level and summed to provide a total muscle area.Purpose of study and background
Methods
