Psoas major IMF (left)

Higher levels of intramuscular fat in your deep hip flexor muscles can indicate deterioration in muscle quality, which can cause deep groin or lower back pain, difficulty lifting the legs, and postural changes. Left-right imbalances in these hip flexors can create asymmetric movement patterns and contribute to compensatory strain on the spine and pelvis. Fat infiltration often develops from prolonged inactivity, lack of exercise, or previous muscle injuries. Weak psoas muscles increase fall risk in older adults due to reduced leg lifting ability.

Unlike subcutaneous fat you can lose through diet, reducing intramuscular fat requires targeted exercise to rebuild muscle quality. This is a research-based wellness measurement for tracking muscle health.