Table 1.

Summary of tests used to assess sarcopenia (muscle mass, strength, function)

Muscle massMuscle functionMuscle strength
Computed tomography (CT) L3 skeletal muscle index
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC)
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Muscle ultrasound
Bioimpedance analysis (BIA)a		Short physical performance battery test (SPPB)
Gait speed
Timed get-up-and-go testa
Liver Frailty Index (LFI)
Aerobic exercise capacity:b
6-minute walk distance (6MWD)
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)		Handgrip strength (HGS)
Knee flexion/extension peak torque strengthc
Liver Frailty Index (LFI)

  • ↵a = less frequently used tests;

  • ↵b = separate entity but relies on muscle function;

  • ↵c = research-based tests that are not yet validated in clinical practice.