Comparison Thigh Skeletal Muscles between Snowboarding Halfpipe Athletes and Healthy Volunteers Using Quantitative Multi-Parameter Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Rest.

He Sun; Meng-tao XU; Xiao-qi Wang; Meng-hu Wang; Bao-heng Wang; Feng-zhe Wang; Shi-nong Pan

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Comparison Thigh Skeletal Muscles between Snowboarding Halfpipe Athletes and Healthy Volunteers Using Quantitative Multi-Parameter Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Rest.

Author: He SUN ^{1
,

2} ; Meng-Tao XU ^{3
,

4} ; Xiao-Qi WANG ⁵ ; Meng-Hu WANG ⁶ ; Bao-Heng WANG ⁷ ; Feng-Zhe WANG ⁸ ; Shi-Nong PAN ⁸
Author Information

1. Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004
2. Department of Radiology, The fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110032, China.
3. Chinese Freestyle Skiing Aerials team, General Administration of Sport, Beijing 100050
4. Affiliated Sports School, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China.
5. Philips Healthcare, Beijing 100600, China.
6. Snow Sports Center, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China.
7. Affiliated Sports School, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China.
8. Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Cross-sectional Area; Fat Fraction; Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Relaxation Time
MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Athletes; statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; diagnostic imaging; physiology; Skiing; physiology; Thigh; diagnostic imaging; physiology; Young Adult
From: Chinese Medical Journal 2018;131(9):1045-1050
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract:
BackgroundMagnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides a unique, noninvasive diagnostic platform to quantify the physiological and biochemical variables of skeletal muscle at rest. This study was to investigate the difference in thigh skeletal muscles between snowboarding halfpipe athletes and healthy volunteers via multiparametric MR imaging.
MethodsA comparative study was conducted between 12 healthy volunteers and 14 snowboarding halfpipe athletes. MR scanning targeted the left leg at the level of the proximal thigh on a 3.0T MR system. The measured parameters compared between the two groups included T1, T2, T2* relaxation times, fat fraction (FF), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps femoris and the hamstring muscles. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t-test. Interrater reliability was also assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
ResultsIt was statistically equivalent between two groups in age, body mass index, thigh circumference, calf circumference, systolic blood pressure, and resting heart rate (all P > 0.05). However, the T1 and T2 values of the hamstring muscles in the athlete group were found to be significantly shorter than those in control group (T1: 1063.3 ± 24.1 ms vs. 1112.0 ± 38.2 ms in biceps femoris, 1050.4 ± 31.2 ms vs. 1095.0 ± 39.5 ms in semitendinosus, 1053.1 ± 31.7 ms vs. 1118.4 ± 40.0 ms in semimembranosus, respectively; T2: 33.4 ± 0.7 ms vs. 36.1 ± 1.9 ms in biceps femoris, 34.6 ± 2.0 ms vs. 37.0 ± 1.9 ms in semitendinosus, 36.9 ± 1.5 ms vs. 38.9 ± 2.4 ms in semimembranosus, respectively; all P < 0.05) although T2* relaxation time was detected with no significant difference. The FF of the hamstring muscles was obviously less than the control group (5.5 ± 1.9% vs. 10.7 ± 4.7%, P < 0.001). In addition, the quadriceps' CSA in the athlete group was substantially larger than the control group (8039.0 ± 1072.3 vs. 6258.2 ± 852.0 mm, P < 0.001). Interrater reliability was excellent (ICC: 0.758-0.994).
ConclusionMultiple MR imaging parameters indicated significant differences between snowboarding halfpipe athletes and healthy volunteers in the thigh skeletal muscles.