Imaging of exercise-induced spinal remodeling in elite rowers. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frenken, M.; Schleich, C.; Radke, K.L.; Müller-Lutz, A.; Benedikter, C.; Franz, A.; Antoch, G.; Bittersohl, B.; Abrar, D.B.; Nebelung, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 25:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Water sports -- Spine -- Intervertebral disc -- Cartilage remodeling -- gagCEST -- Magnetic resonance imaging; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: As in-vivo knowledge of training-induced remodeling of intervertebral discs (IVD) is scarce, this study assessed how lumbar IVDs change as a function of long-term training in elite athletes and age-matched controls using compositional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Design: Prospective case-control study. Methods: Prospectively, lumbar spines of 17 elite rowers (ERs) of the German national rowing team (mean age: 23.9 ± 3.3 years) were imaged on a clinical 3.0 T MRI scanner. ERs were imaged twice during the annual training cycle, i.e., at training intensive preseason preparations (t0 ) and 6 months later during post-competition recovery (t1 ). Controls ( n = 22, mean age: 26.3 ± 1.9 years) were imaged once at corresponding time points (t0 : n = 11; t1 : n = 11). Segment-wise, the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of lumbar IVDs ( n = 195) was determined using glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer (gagCEST). Linear mixed models were set up to assess the influence of cohort and other variables on GAG content. Results: During preseason, IVD GAG values of ERs were significantly higher than those of controls (ERs(t0 ): 2.58 ± 0.27% (mean ± standard deviations); controls(t0 ): 1.43 ± 0.36%; p ≤ 0.001), while during post-competition recovery, such differences were not present anymore (ERs(t1 ): 2.11 ± 0.18%; controls(t1 ): 1.89 ± 0.24%; p = 0.362). Conclusions: Professional elite-level rowing is transiently associated with significantly higher gagCEST values, which indicate increased lumbar IVD-GAG content and strong remodeling effects in response to training. Beyond professional rowing, core-strengthening full-body exercise may help to enhance the resilience of the lumbar spine as a potential therapeutic target in treating back pain.