Sample size considerations in human muscle architecture studies
Lori J. Tuttle PT, PhD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSamuel R. Ward PT, PhD
Departments of Radiology, Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Richard L. Lieber PhD
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego and Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego and VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USASearch for more papers by this authorLori J. Tuttle PT, PhD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSamuel R. Ward PT, PhD
Departments of Radiology, Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Richard L. Lieber PhD
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego and Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego and VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USASearch for more papers by this authorAbstract
Introduction:
This report is a meta-analysis of the human muscle architecture literature that analyzes the number of muscles, number of subjects, and muscle fiber length coefficient of variation (CV) by body region.
Methods:
Muscle fiber length data are used to make recommendations for dissection-based architectural study sample sizes.
Results:
An average of 9 ± 10 (mean ± SD) muscles and an average of 9 ± 5 subjects were reported in the 26 studies considered. Across all studies, average fiber length CV was highly variable (18% ± 5%). This shows that sample sizes required to achieve adequate power varies by anatomical region.
Conclusions:
Studies involving muscle architecture should consider regional variability and effect size and determine sample size accordingly. Muscle Nerve 45: 742–745, 2012
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