Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate if there are differences in thoraco-lumbar disc characteristics between elite skiers and non-athletic controls as well as between different types of elite skiers, with diverse training histories, using a novel quantitative MRI method.MethodsThe thoraco-lumbar spine of 58 elite skiers (age = 18.2 ± 1.1 years, 30 males) and 26 normally active controls (age = 16.4 ± 0.6 years, 9 males) was examined using T2w-MRI. Disc characteristics were compared quantitatively between groups using histogram and regional image analyses to determine delta peak and T2-values in five sub-regions.ResultsA statistical difference in the delta peak value was found between skiers and controls (p <0.001), reflecting higher degree of disc degeneration. The histogram analysis also revealed that the type of training determines where and to what extent the changes occur. Alpine skiers displayed lumbar changes, while mogul skiers displayed changes also in the thoracic spine. Alpine skiers with diverse training dose differed in delta peak value (p = 0.005), where skiers with highest training dose displayed less changes. Regional T2-value differences were found in skiers with divergent training histories (p <0.05), reflecting differences in disc degeneration patterns, foremost within the dorsal annulus.ConclusionDifferences in quantitative disc characteristics were found not only between elite skiers and non-athletic controls but also between subgroups of elite skiers with diverse training histories. The differences in the disc measures, reflecting tissue degradation, are likely related to type and intensity of the physical training. Future studies are encouraged to explore the relation between disc functionality, training history and pain to establish adequate prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Highlights
Skiing is a high-risk sport with high loads affecting the body [1,2,3]
The present study includes a secondary analysis of an existing MRI dataset, collected to identify differences in degenerated disc changes between young elite skiers (n = 58, age = 18.2 ± 1.1 years, 30 males) and normally active controls (n = 26, age = 16.4 ± 0.6 years, 9 males) using gross morphological evaluation of spinal changes and a conventional categorical classification system for disc degeneration, i.e. Pfirrmann grading [23]
For the discs in the whole thoraco-lumbar spine, there was a statistical difference in the delta peak value between skiers and controls (p
Summary
Skiing is a high-risk sport with high loads affecting the body [1,2,3]. spinal traumas and the repetitive loading of the spine might damage the spinal tissues [4]. In similar with other groups of athletes [5,6,7,8], the incidence of spinal. In athletes with great demands on their spine, spinal abnormalities, such as advanced disc degeneration, apophyseal ring injury, sacral stress fracture, disc herniation, spondylolysis and ligament tears are highly represented [5,6,7,8]. An association between back pain and radiological findings has not been fully established for all sports. This may be due to the fact that most studies are based on plain
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