ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana - Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2022 January-February;181(1-2):19-25

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.19.04207-4

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Field-based simplified methods for predicting Skeletal Muscle Index in Japanese university women

Tomohiro YASUDA ✉

School of Nursing, Seirei Christopher University, Shizuoka, Japan

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether the field-based simplified methods could predict the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) in Japanese university women.
METHODS: A total of 193 Japanese university freshmen women (aged 18-25 years) volunteered to participate in this study. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis (method of increasing and decreasing the variables; criterion set at P<0.05) was performed for SMI and 17 variable factors (Body Mass Index, % body fat, waist-hip ratio, girth [mid-thigh and lower-leg], muscle thickness [anterior and posterior mid-thigh and posterior lower-leg], handgrip, knee extension, standing long jump, vertical jump, sit-to-stand test, side step test, multi-stage 20-m shuttle run fitness test, two-step test, sit and reach).
RESULTS: Twelve of 17 variables were correlated (P<0.05) with SMI. There was an excellent relationship between mid-thigh girth and SMI (r=0.807, P<0.001). The prediction equations were highly correlated with SMI (R2=0.639 for step 1 [SMI=0.108 × thigh girth + 0.711] and R2=0.895 for step 7 [SMI=0.024 × thigh girth - 0.073 × body fat % + 0.217 × BMI kg/m²] + 0.019 × handgrip + 0.041 × lower leg girth +0.007 × side step + 0.144, P<0.05].
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that SMI could be evaluated by the field-based simplified methods, especially for the mid-thigh girth measurement, which may be a major determinant to maintain an active life for healthy young women.

KEY WORDS: Muscles; Japan; Women; Sarcopenia