TY - JOUR
T1 - Diffusion tensor imaging combined with T2 mapping to quantify changes in the skeletal muscle associated with training and endurance exercise in competitive triathletes
AU - Keller, S.
AU - Yamamura, J.
AU - Sedlacik, J.
AU - Wang, Z. J.
AU - Gebert, P.
AU - Starekova, J.
AU - Tahir, E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, European Society of Radiology.
PY - 2020/5/1
Y1 - 2020/5/1
N2 - Objectives: Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) and T2 mapping enable the detection of exercise-induced changes in the skeletal muscle microenvironment. This study prospectively quantified DTI metrics and T2 relaxation times of thigh muscles in competitive triathletes at rest and following a triathlon race in comparison with sedentary controls. Methods: Twenty-two triathletes (males N = 16, females N = 6) and twenty-three controls (males N = 16, females N = 7) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3 T system at baseline (time point 1; 72 h at rest). Twelve triathletes (males N = 8, females N = 4) underwent a second scan (time point 2; 3 h of completing a triathlon race). The tensor eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), and T2 times were compared between controls and triathletes at time point 1 and triathletes at time points 1 and 2 using independent and paired t tests. Results: In comparison with the controls at time point 1, the T2 times of rectus femoris (RF, p < 0.02), adductor magnus (AM, p = 0.02), biceps femoris (BF, p < 0.001), semitendinosus (ST, p = 0.005), and semimembranosus (SM, p = 0.003) muscles were significantly increased in triathletes. At time point 2 in triathletes, the average tensor metrics (MD, λ3/ λ1) of BF, ST, and SM muscles increased (p < 0.05) and FA values in ST and SM muscles decreased (p < 0.03). T2 times were not significantly changed between both time points in triathletes. Conclusion: Our results indicate that this multiparametric MRI protocol allows detection and quantification of changes in the skeletal muscle microenvironment caused by endurance training and acute strenuous exercise. Key Points: • Endurance training results in changes to the skeletal microstructure, which can be quantified using MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging. • The combined application of MRI diffusion tensor imaging and T2 mapping allows the differentiation of microstructural changes caused by active exercise or endurance training. • Environmental adaptations of the skeletal muscle caused by physical training are influenced by gender.
AB - Objectives: Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) and T2 mapping enable the detection of exercise-induced changes in the skeletal muscle microenvironment. This study prospectively quantified DTI metrics and T2 relaxation times of thigh muscles in competitive triathletes at rest and following a triathlon race in comparison with sedentary controls. Methods: Twenty-two triathletes (males N = 16, females N = 6) and twenty-three controls (males N = 16, females N = 7) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3 T system at baseline (time point 1; 72 h at rest). Twelve triathletes (males N = 8, females N = 4) underwent a second scan (time point 2; 3 h of completing a triathlon race). The tensor eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), and T2 times were compared between controls and triathletes at time point 1 and triathletes at time points 1 and 2 using independent and paired t tests. Results: In comparison with the controls at time point 1, the T2 times of rectus femoris (RF, p < 0.02), adductor magnus (AM, p = 0.02), biceps femoris (BF, p < 0.001), semitendinosus (ST, p = 0.005), and semimembranosus (SM, p = 0.003) muscles were significantly increased in triathletes. At time point 2 in triathletes, the average tensor metrics (MD, λ3/ λ1) of BF, ST, and SM muscles increased (p < 0.05) and FA values in ST and SM muscles decreased (p < 0.03). T2 times were not significantly changed between both time points in triathletes. Conclusion: Our results indicate that this multiparametric MRI protocol allows detection and quantification of changes in the skeletal muscle microenvironment caused by endurance training and acute strenuous exercise. Key Points: • Endurance training results in changes to the skeletal microstructure, which can be quantified using MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging. • The combined application of MRI diffusion tensor imaging and T2 mapping allows the differentiation of microstructural changes caused by active exercise or endurance training. • Environmental adaptations of the skeletal muscle caused by physical training are influenced by gender.
KW - Athletes
KW - Diffusion tensor imaging
KW - Endurance training
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Muscles
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U2 - 10.1007/s00330-019-06576-z
DO - 10.1007/s00330-019-06576-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 31953666
AN - SCOPUS:85078588888
SN - 0938-7994
VL - 30
SP - 2830
EP - 2842
JO - European Radiology
JF - European Radiology
IS - 5
ER -