Dokument: Early intervertebral degeneration patterns among elite amateur golfers: A T2∗ mapping study
| Titel: | Early intervertebral degeneration patterns among elite amateur golfers: A T2∗ mapping study | |||||||
| URL für Lesezeichen: | https://docserv.uni-duesseldorf.de/servlets/DocumentServlet?id=73929 | |||||||
| URN (NBN): | urn:nbn:de:hbz:061-20260713-135326-8 | |||||||
| Kollektion: | Publikationen | |||||||
| Sprache: | Englisch | |||||||
| Dokumententyp: | Wissenschaftliche Texte » Artikel, Aufsatz | |||||||
| Medientyp: | Text | |||||||
| Autoren: | Mann, Tobias [Autor] Abrar, Daniel [Autor] Prost, Max [Autor] Bittersohl, Bernd [Autor] | |||||||
| Dateien: |
| |||||||
| Stichwörter: | Lumbar spine , Pfirrmann grading , T2* mapping , Sports biomechanics , Quantitative MRI , MRI , Nucleus pulposus , Golf intervertebral disc , Disc degeneration , Low back pain , Proteoglycan | |||||||
| Beschreibung: | This study examined whether repetitive loading forces and overuse expose elite golfers to a heightened risk of early degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) injuries. We hypothesized that asymptomatic elite golfers would demonstrate characteristic patterns of IVD degeneration on T2∗ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with asymptomatic non-golfers.
This pilot study enrolled ten high-level amateur golfers (mean age 28.2 ± 7.3 years) and ten asymptomatic non-golfers (mean age 28.6 ± 4.8 years). The control group was matched for BMI and had no history of competitive sport. MRI scans including T2∗ mapping were performed on a 3-T scanner. T2∗ values were compared between both groups across four lumbar IVDs; midsagittal measurements were obtained in five zones: anterior annulus fibrosus (AF), anterior nucleus pulposus (NP), central NP, posterior NP, and posterior AF. Pfirrmann grading was used for morphological analysis. Statistical analysis employed the Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. A Monte Carlo-based power analysis was performed to estimate the sample size required for adequately powered future studies. No statistically significant difference in overall T2∗ values were found between groups (golfers: 48.61 ± 44.49 ms vs. controls: 45.67 ± 38.11 ms; P = 0.16). However, intersegmental and interzonal analyses revealed distinctive patterns of IVD degeneration in the golfer group. Golfers also demonstrated a higher frequency of elevated Pfirrmann grades (1-4) compared with controls. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that approximately 140-180 participants per group would be required to achieve 80% statistical power for the L5/S1 segment, while several regions, including the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus and posterior nucleus pulposus, would require more than 1000 participants per group. Although overall T2∗ values did not differ significantly between cohorts, the observed tendencies suggest early signs of disc degeneration potentially attributable to the high biomechanical demands of golf. These pilot findings lay the groundwork for larger, adequately powered investigations. | |||||||
| Rechtliche Vermerke: | Originalveröffentlichung:
Mann, T., Abrar, D., Bittersohl, B., & Prost, M. (2026). Early intervertebral degeneration patterns among elite amateur golfers: A T2∗ mapping study. Brain and Spine, 6, Article 106154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bas.2026.106154 | |||||||
| Lizenz: |  Dieses Werk ist lizenziert unter einer Creative Commons Namensnennung 4.0 International Lizenz | |||||||
| Fachbereich / Einrichtung: | Medizinische Fakultät | |||||||
| Dokument erstellt am: | 13.07.2026 | |||||||
| Dateien geändert am: | 13.07.2026 |
