Effects of Anthropometric Factors on Nerve Conduction An Electrophysiologic Study of Feet

Background: Previous studies have shown that age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) affect the amplitude of sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), but the total effects of multiple factors and the most prominently affected nerves have not been elucidated. We systematically investigated the effects of these factors on motor and sensory nerves of the feet. Methods: The amplitude, latency, and conduction velocity of compound muscle action potential (CMAP), SNAP, and mixed nerve action potential (MNAP) of the posterior tibial, calcaneal, distal posterior tibial, medial and lateral plantar, and sural nerves were measured in 30 healthy individuals (60 feet). The effects of age, sex, height, and BMI on each nerve were estimated by correlation and linear regression analyses. Results: The amplitude of posterior tibial CMAP and distal posterior tibial MNAP decreased with BMI. The amplitude of medial plantar MNAP and sural SNAP decreased with height. The conduction velocity of calcaneal SNAP and distal posterior tibi...