Research
Macro partitioning
Sarcopenia diagnosis requires combining DXA-derived lean mass indices (specifically ASMMI) with functional strength tests; lean mass alone is insufficient for diagnosis.
If DXA shows low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI <7.0 kg/m2 men, <6.0 kg/m2 women), do not diagnose sarcopenia yet. Perform functional strength tests (grip strength, gait speed). Only diagnose sarcopenia if strength is also low.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
a diagnosis of sarcopenia is probable when low muscle strength is detected. The diagnosis is then confirmed by the association with low muscle quantity/quality... it is encouraged to use the term 'low muscle mass' in DXA reports in case of reduced ASMM/ASMMI values
Why this rating
Based on EWGSOP guidelines and multiple cited studies.
Source
Body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: from basics to new tools
Carmelo Messina et al. · Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery · 2020
DOI 10.21037/qims.2020.03.02
narrative_reviewCited 246×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the recommended clinical technique for assessing body composition (lean and fat mass) because it offers accuracy comparable to CT/MRI with significantly lower radiation exposure and cost.Good
- Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Android/Gynoid (AG) ratio provide superior obesity and cardiovascular risk assessment compared to BMI and waist-to-hip ratio by directly measuring adiposity and regional distribution.Good
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →