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Diffusion tensor imaging combined with T2 mapping to quantify changes in the skeletal muscle associated with training and endurance exercise in competitive triathletes

  • Musculoskeletal
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

AM:

Adductor magnus

BF:

Biceps femoris

CI:

Confidence interval

CK:

Creatine kinase

DTI:

Diffusion tensor imaging

FA:

Fractional anisotropy

FOV:

Field of view

MD:

Mean diffusivity

MFF:

Muscle fat fraction

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

RF:

Rectus femoris

ROI:

Region of interest

SM:

Semimembranosus

SNR:

Signal-to-noise ratio

ST:

Semitendinosus

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    S. Keller, J. Yamamura, J. Starekova & E. Tahir

  2. Department of Radiology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    S. Keller

  3. Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    J. Sedlacik

  4. Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1935 Medical District Drive Dallas, 75235, Dallas, TX, USA

    Z. J. Wang

  5. Department of Radiology, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75207, USA

    Z. J. Wang

  6. Institute of Biometry, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    P. Gebert

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  1. S. Keller
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  2. J. Yamamura
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  7. E. Tahir
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Keller.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Dr. med. E. Tahir, MD.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

One of the authors (Pimrapat Gebert) has significant statistical expertise.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study.

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Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

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• prospective

• case-control study and cross sectional study design

• performed at one institution

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Keller, S., Yamamura, J., Sedlacik, J. et al. Diffusion tensor imaging combined with T2 mapping to quantify changes in the skeletal muscle associated with training and endurance exercise in competitive triathletes. Eur Radiol 30, 2830–2842 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06576-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06576-z

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