0000000000514261
AUTHOR
Daniel L. Belavy
Beneficial Intervertebral Disc and Muscle Adaptations in High-Volume Road Cyclists
PURPOSE: Cycling is widely practiced as a mode of transportation, a leisurely pursuit and a competitive sport. Approximately half of cyclists experience low back pain. Yet, there has been limited study of spine tissue adaptations due to cycling. METHODS: To investigate potential risk factors for spinal pain, we compared 18 high-volume cyclists (>150 km per week for ³5 years) to 18 height-matched non-sporting referents. Participants had no history of spinal pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify intervertebral disc (IVD) morphology and hydration; and psoas, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and multifidus muscle size and fat content. Endurance of trunk muscles (flexors a…
Characterization of Intervertebral Disc Changes in Asymptomatic Individuals with Distinct Physical Activity Histories Using Three Different Quantitative MRI Techniques
(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&ndash
Exercise for the intervertebral disc : a 6-month randomised controlled trial in chronic low back pain
Background context Muscle, bone and tendon respond anabolically to mechanical forces. Whether the intervertebral disc (IVD) can benefit from exercise is unclear. Purpose To examine whether exercise can beneficially affect IVD characteristics. Study design/setting This is a single-blinded 6-month randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12615001270505) in an exercise and physiotherapy clinic. Patient sample Forty patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (NSCLBP) are included in this study. Outcome measures The primary outcome was lumbar IVD T2 time (MRI). Secondary outcomes included IVD diffusion coefficient and IVD expansion with short-duration lying. Methods Twenty patients progressively …
Mechanical loading influences the lumbar intervertebral disc : A cross‐sectional study in 308 athletes and 71 controls
There is evidence in animal populations that loading and exercise can positively impact the intervertebral disc (IVD). However, there is a paucity of information in humans. We examined the lumbar IVDs in 308 young athletes across six sporting groups (baseball, swimming, basketball, kendo, soccer and running; mean age 19yrs) and 71 non‐athletic controls. IVD status was quantified via the ratio of IVD to vertebral body height (IVD hypertrophy) and ratio of signal intensity in the nucleus to that in the annulus signal (IVD nucleus hydration) on sagittal T2‐weighted MRI. P‐values were adjusted via the false discovery rate method to mitigate false positives. In examining the whole collective, co…