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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(10): 704-710
DOI: 10.1055/a-2093-2881
Review

Relationship between Euthyroidism and Muscle Mass and Strength: A Systematic Review

Francesca Greco 
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Chantalle Moulton
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Cristina Antinozzi
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Marco Lista
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Luigi Di Luigi
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Ivan Dimauro
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
,
Paolo Sgrò
1   Department of Human Movement Sciences and Health, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Roma, Italy
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Abstract

Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in skeletal muscle development, suggesting that thyroid function may influence muscle mass and muscle strength, which are both fundamental health-related indicators of several age-related consequences. However, whether there is a relationship between thyroid hormones, muscle mass, and muscle strength in individuals without thyroid dysfunctions is still unknown. Therefore, this systematic review aims to investigate whether thyroid hormones are related to muscle mass and strength parameters in euthyroid individuals. Three databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) up to February 14, 2022, for peer-reviewed papers published in English. The search results were conducted independently by two different reviewers. The review included 13 studies with a total of 241,044 participants. All studies were observational: twelve studies measured thyroid stimulating hormone, ten and thirteen studies measured free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine, four studies analyzed the thyroid hormone ratio. The assessment methods for muscle mass were computed tomography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioimpedance analysis, whereas hand dynamometer for muscle strength. Low levels within the normal range of free triiodothyronine, high levels within the normal range of free thyroxine, and lower thyroid hormone ratio may contribute to a reduced muscle function, which seems more evident in older males.

Key words

exercise - skeletal muscle - aging, - thyroid - health - exercise - endocrinology - health - sport - doping - skeletal muscle - ageing - bone mineral density - physical exercise

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 13 September 2022

Accepted: 26 April 2023

Article published online:
10 July 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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