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Characterization of Intervertebral Disc Changes in Asymptomatic Individuals with Distinct Physical Activity Histories Using Three Different Quantitative MRI Techniques

Year of publication

2020

Authors

Belavy, Daniel L.; Brisby, Helena; Douglas, Benjamin; Hebelka, Hanna; Quittner, Matthew J.; Owen, Patrick J.; Rantalainen, Timo; Trudel, Guy; Lagerstrand, Kerstin M.

Abstract

(1) Background: Assessments of intervertebral disc (IVD) changes, and IVD tissue adaptations due to physical activity, for example, remains challenging. Newer magnetic resonance imaging techniques can quantify detailed features of the IVD, where T2-mapping and T2-weighted (T2w) and Dixon imaging are potential candidates. Yet, their relative utility has not been examined. The performances of these techniques were investigated to characterize IVD differences in asymptomatic individuals with distinct physical activity histories. (2) Methods: In total, 101 participants (54 women) aged 25–35 years with distinct physical activity histories but without histories of spinal disease were included. T11/12 to L5/S1 IVDs were examined with sagittal T2-mapping, T2w and Dixon imaging. (3) Results: T2-mapping differentiated Pfirrmann grade-1 from all other grades (p < 0.001). Most importantly, T2-mapping was able to characterize IVD differences in individuals with different training histories (p < 0.005). Dixon displayed weak correlations with the Pfirrmann scale, but presented significantly higher water content in the IVDs of the long-distance runners (p < 0.005). (4) Conclusions: Findings suggested that T2-mapping best reflects IVD differences in asymptomatic individuals with distinct physical activity histories changes. Dixon characterized new aspects of IVD, probably associated with IVD hypertrophy. This complementary information may help us to better understand the biological function of the disc.
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Organizations and authors

University of Jyväskylä

Rantalainen Timo

Publication type

Publication format

Article

Parent publication type

Journal

Article type

Original article

Audience

Scientific

Peer-reviewed

Peer-Reviewed

MINEDU's publication type classification code

A1 Journal article (refereed), original research

Publication channel information

Publisher

MDPI

Volume

9

Issue

6

Article number

1841

​Publication forum

85981

​Publication forum level

1

Open access

Open access in the publisher’s service

Yes

Open access of publication channel

Fully open publication channel

Self-archived

Yes

Other information

Fields of science

Sport and fitness sciences

Keywords

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Publication country

Switzerland

Internationality of the publisher

International

Language

English

International co-publication

Yes

Co-publication with a company

No

DOI

10.3390/jcm9061841

The publication is included in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Publication data collection

Yes