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Purpose <p>To investigate half-marathon running and recovery effects on knee articular cartilage (KAC) health in athletes, using dictionary-matching T<sub>2</sub> maps, to detect changes and recovery patterns in KAC.</p> Methods <p>Eleven asymptomatic volunteers (4 females, 7 males; mean age 40 ± 5&#xa0;years, mean BMI 22.7 ± 1.4&#xa0;kg/m<sup>2</sup>) completed a fixed-pace half-marathonwere studied. All were right-knee dominant and engaged in regular running. Sagittal T<sub>2</sub>-weighted Multi-Echo Spin-Echo images at 3&#xa0;T were used to assess T<sub>2</sub> values pre-run, post-run, and one week later for global and compartmental KAC. Recovery programme included low-intensity running, strength training and rest. Repeated measures ANOVA or equivalent non-parametric tests with post-hoc comparisons compared T<sub>2</sub> values over time. Separate analyses were conducted based on laterality, gender and anatomical compartments. Significance was set at &lt; 0.05.</p> Results <p>Post-run T<sub>2</sub> values decreased significantly by 0.9&#xa0;ms (−&#xa0;2.0%, p &lt; 0.001), with up to 5.3% reductions in medial tibial (MT) and femoral (MF) compartments. Recovery patterns varied by compartment, sex and laterality. Most compartments returned to baseline within one week; the lateral condyle (LatC) showed incomplete recovery (−&#xa0;4.7%, Proportional Recovery Index (PRI) = −&#xa0;0,1); the right knee’s MT exhibited overcompensation (6.3%, PRI = 2.6). Males showed higher baseline T<sub>2</sub> values and more efficient recovery in the LatC compared to females (PRI = −&#xa0;0.1 vs. −&#xa0;0.4).</p> Conclusion <p>Half-marathon running induces reversible reductions in KAC hydration, with most compartments recovering or overcompensating within one week. Dictionary-matching T2 mapping offers a robust approach for monitoring cartilage integrity and guiding individualised recovery strategies.</p>

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Detection of physiological changes in knee cartilage using parametric T2 relaxation maps estimated with a dictionary method

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月23日

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  • José M. Coelho,
  • Tiago T. Fernandes,
  • Sandra M. Alves,
  • Adélio Vilaça,
  • Rita G. Nunes,
  • Luísa Nogueira,
  • António Oliveira

摘要

Purpose

To investigate half-marathon running and recovery effects on knee articular cartilage (KAC) health in athletes, using dictionary-matching T2 maps, to detect changes and recovery patterns in KAC.

Methods

Eleven asymptomatic volunteers (4 females, 7 males; mean age 40 ± 5 years, mean BMI 22.7 ± 1.4 kg/m2) completed a fixed-pace half-marathonwere studied. All were right-knee dominant and engaged in regular running. Sagittal T2-weighted Multi-Echo Spin-Echo images at 3 T were used to assess T2 values pre-run, post-run, and one week later for global and compartmental KAC. Recovery programme included low-intensity running, strength training and rest. Repeated measures ANOVA or equivalent non-parametric tests with post-hoc comparisons compared T2 values over time. Separate analyses were conducted based on laterality, gender and anatomical compartments. Significance was set at < 0.05.

Results

Post-run T2 values decreased significantly by 0.9 ms (− 2.0%, p < 0.001), with up to 5.3% reductions in medial tibial (MT) and femoral (MF) compartments. Recovery patterns varied by compartment, sex and laterality. Most compartments returned to baseline within one week; the lateral condyle (LatC) showed incomplete recovery (− 4.7%, Proportional Recovery Index (PRI) = − 0,1); the right knee’s MT exhibited overcompensation (6.3%, PRI = 2.6). Males showed higher baseline T2 values and more efficient recovery in the LatC compared to females (PRI = − 0.1 vs. − 0.4).

Conclusion

Half-marathon running induces reversible reductions in KAC hydration, with most compartments recovering or overcompensating within one week. Dictionary-matching T2 mapping offers a robust approach for monitoring cartilage integrity and guiding individualised recovery strategies.