T(2) Distribution in the Forearm Muscles and the T(2) Threshold for Defining Activated Muscle

PURPOSE: In order to detect exercised muscles by the increase in T(2), we have defined a Gaussian T(2) distribution and reference values (T(2r) and SD(r)) in resting state muscles, and a threshold for detecting exercised muscles. METHODS: The subjects were healthy adult volunteers (14 males and 12 females). Multiple-spin-echo (MSE) MR images were obtained with 10 TE values from 10 to 100 ms using a 0.2T MRI system. T(2) values for 10 forearm muscles were obtained in the resting state and after isometric wrist flexion exercise with 5%, 15%, and 25% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Z values were obtained by (T(2e) − T(2r))/SD(r), where T(2e) was T(2) after exercise. Based on sample size calculations, three thresholds (Z(T) = 1.00, 2.56, and 3.07) were applied to agonist and antagonist muscles. RESULTS: A normal distribution of T(2) was detected in resting muscles at 34 ± 3 ms (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) in 26 subjects using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, the Shapiro–Wilk test, and the Jarque–Bera test (P > 0.05). No gender differences were shown between the T(2) or SD, and a similar result was obtained in 12 measurements on a single subject (P < 0.01). The T(2r) and SD(r) were used for reference values. The threshold Z(T) = 1.00 showed the highest sensitivity (0.86) even with 5% MVC, but it showed a lower specificity (0.85) than the other thresholds. Z(T) = 3.07 showed the highest specificity (1.0), but it showed a lower sensitivity (0.36) with the 5% MVC, compared with Z(T) = 2.56 (0.50). The receiver operating characteristics analysis also supported these results. CONCLUSION: We found that the T(2) distribution in muscles was Gaussian, suggesting that a one-sample t-test can be applied, and that Z(T) = 2.56 could cover low-intensity exercise with high specificity and a low false-positive rate.