Statistical shape modeling of skeletal muscles improves the prediction of muscle strength

Motivation: Decline in muscle mass does not explain decline in muscle strength related to aging providing a compelling gap to investigate contribution of shape features in muscle strength. Goal(s): Our goal was to use statistical shape modeling (SSM) to investigate shape features of quadriceps muscles associated with muscle strength. Approach: We used SSM to extract dominant shape features of quadriceps. Extracted shape features were used to predict muscle strength. Results: Muscle shape features increased muscle strength prediction compared to muscle volume alone. These shape features may reflect architecture rearrangement of the quadriceps as a result of aging. Impact: Shape features of quadriceps muscles extracted from statistical shape modeling demonstrated a higher prediction of muscle strength of the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis and the vastus medialis muscles in healthy subjects.