Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition
Abstract Few studies have explored hip morphology and cartilage composition in female athletes or the impact of asymmetric repetitive loading, such as occurs during softball pitching. The current cross-sectional study assessed bilateral bony hip morphology on computed tomography imaging in collegiat...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87839-2 |
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| author | Stuart J. Warden Sally L. Coburn Robyn K. Fuchs Rachel K. Surowiec Julio Carballido-Gamio Joanne L. Kemp Peter K. Jalaie David F. Hanff Antony J. R. Palmer Scott J. Fernquest Kay M. Crossley Joshua J. Heerey |
| author_facet | Stuart J. Warden Sally L. Coburn Robyn K. Fuchs Rachel K. Surowiec Julio Carballido-Gamio Joanne L. Kemp Peter K. Jalaie David F. Hanff Antony J. R. Palmer Scott J. Fernquest Kay M. Crossley Joshua J. Heerey |
| author_sort | Stuart J. Warden |
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| description | Abstract Few studies have explored hip morphology and cartilage composition in female athletes or the impact of asymmetric repetitive loading, such as occurs during softball pitching. The current cross-sectional study assessed bilateral bony hip morphology on computed tomography imaging in collegiate-level softball pitchers (‘Pitch1’, n = 25) and cross-country runners (‘Run’, n = 13). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cartilage relaxation times in a second cohort of pitchers (‘Pitch2’, n = 10) and non-athletic controls (‘Con’, n = 4). Pitch1 had 52% greater maximum alpha angle than Run (p < 0.001) and were 21.3 (95% CI 2.4 to 192.0) times more likely to have an alpha angle ≥ 60° within at least one hip. Pitch2 had longer T2 relaxation times in the superior femoral cartilage of the drive leg (same side as the throwing arm) and stride leg than Con (all p < 0.02). The drive leg in Pitch2 had longer T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in the superior femoral cartilage compared to the stride leg (all p ≤ 0.03). Asymptomatic softball pitchers exhibit altered bony hip morphology and cartilage composition compared to cross-country runners and non-athletic controls, respectively. They also exhibit asymmetry in cartilage composition. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted and any potential long-term consequences of the changes in terms of symptom and osteoarthritis development requires investigation. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0bfdad66def3489c9ed8d00be28e1db72025-01-26T12:34:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-87839-2Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage compositionStuart J. Warden0Sally L. Coburn1Robyn K. Fuchs2Rachel K. Surowiec3Julio Carballido-Gamio4Joanne L. Kemp5Peter K. Jalaie6David F. Hanff7Antony J. R. Palmer8Scott J. Fernquest9Kay M. Crossley10Joshua J. Heerey11Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University IndianapolisLa Trobe Sport & Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe UniversityTom and Julia Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian UniversityWeldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue UniversityDepartment of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusLa Trobe Sport & Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe UniversityWeldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue UniversityDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical CentreNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordLa Trobe Sport & Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe UniversityLa Trobe Sport & Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe UniversityAbstract Few studies have explored hip morphology and cartilage composition in female athletes or the impact of asymmetric repetitive loading, such as occurs during softball pitching. The current cross-sectional study assessed bilateral bony hip morphology on computed tomography imaging in collegiate-level softball pitchers (‘Pitch1’, n = 25) and cross-country runners (‘Run’, n = 13). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cartilage relaxation times in a second cohort of pitchers (‘Pitch2’, n = 10) and non-athletic controls (‘Con’, n = 4). Pitch1 had 52% greater maximum alpha angle than Run (p < 0.001) and were 21.3 (95% CI 2.4 to 192.0) times more likely to have an alpha angle ≥ 60° within at least one hip. Pitch2 had longer T2 relaxation times in the superior femoral cartilage of the drive leg (same side as the throwing arm) and stride leg than Con (all p < 0.02). The drive leg in Pitch2 had longer T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in the superior femoral cartilage compared to the stride leg (all p ≤ 0.03). Asymptomatic softball pitchers exhibit altered bony hip morphology and cartilage composition compared to cross-country runners and non-athletic controls, respectively. They also exhibit asymmetry in cartilage composition. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted and any potential long-term consequences of the changes in terms of symptom and osteoarthritis development requires investigation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87839-2ArthritisCam morphologyFemoroacetabular impingementHip jointMagnetic resonance imagingOsteoarthritis |
| spellingShingle | Stuart J. Warden Sally L. Coburn Robyn K. Fuchs Rachel K. Surowiec Julio Carballido-Gamio Joanne L. Kemp Peter K. Jalaie David F. Hanff Antony J. R. Palmer Scott J. Fernquest Kay M. Crossley Joshua J. Heerey Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition Scientific Reports Arthritis Cam morphology Femoroacetabular impingement Hip joint Magnetic resonance imaging Osteoarthritis |
| title | Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| title_full | Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| title_fullStr | Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| title_short | Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| title_sort | asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition |
| topic | Arthritis Cam morphology Femoroacetabular impingement Hip joint Magnetic resonance imaging Osteoarthritis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87839-2 |
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