Abstract #0257

Galban C, Maderwald S, Stock F, Brauck K, Ladd M

Diffusion tensor imaging was used to determine if water diffusivity within human calf muscles is sensitive to the physical characteristics (height, weight, or body mass index) or age of healthy male subjects. The eigenvalues, trace of the diffusion tensor, and two anisotropic parameters were calculated and compared in four muscles: soleus, lateral and medial gastrocnemius, and anterior tibialis. This study concluded that the physiological and morphological changes that occur with age significantly contribute to the diffusion measurements in skeletal muscle.