31phosphorous-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) has become an extremely valuable technique to investigate changes in muscle metabolism noninvasively and in vivo. The purpose of this article is to critically review how 31P-MRS has contributed to current understanding of muscle metabolic function in healthy children and adolescents. In addition, an overview of the basic principles of 31P-MRS and its application to the study of muscle metabolism is provided and discussed in relation to child-specific methodological concerns when using this technique.
Barker and Armstrong are with the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK.