Abstract
[Purpose] In this study, we measured the circumference of the thigh and muscle thickness at 10, 15 and 20 cm above the top of the patella, and investigated which values relate best to quadriceps femoris strength. [Subjects] The subjects were 56 community-dwelling elderly women, average age 71.6 ± 6.5 years. [Methods] We measured quadriceps femoris thickness with ultrasonography equipment, the thigh circumference with a tape measure and quadriceps femoris strength with a hand-held dynamometer, and investigated the relationships with quadriceps femoris strength using Pearson's correlation coefficient. [Results] All circumference measurements and the ultrasonography thickness measurement made at 10 cm above the patella showed moderate correlations with quadriceps femoris strength, whereas muscle thickness measured with ultrasonography at 15 and 20 cm above the patella showed strong correlations with quadriceps femoris strength. [Conclusion] The results suggest, that when estimating quadriceps femoris strength from muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography, measurements should be made at more than 15 cm above the top of the patella.
