MR Imaging-Based Biomarkers for Strength Prediction: A Statistical Shape and Architecture Modeling of Quadriceps Muscles

The authors investigate whether muscle strength can be predicted using features of muscle shape and architecture, rather than solely relying on muscle mass. Their study, involving 24 healthy subjects, finds that shape-only models significantly improve predictions of eccentric and isometric torque compared to muscle volume alone, suggesting the potential for developing imaging-based biomarkers for muscle strength. However, incorporating architectural features did not enhance model performance, indicating that shape characteristics may be more critical for strength prediction.