Marathon running has no negative impact on the hip joints, muscles
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Marathoners have minimal abductor muscle atrophy and CAM impingement after marathons, however marathon running has no negative impact on the pelvis and hip joints and muscles, according to presented results.
“In summary, there were a number of hip joint abnormalities before the marathon and no major morphological damage after the marathon,” Laura-Maria Horga, BSc, said at the Virtual EFORT Congress.
In a prospective cohort study, Horga and colleagues evaluated the effects of high-impact forces experienced during marathon running on the pelvis and hip joints and muscles of marathon runners. Researchers studied 44 asymptomatic runners (18 women and 26 men) who were registered for the Richmond Marathon. Median age was 31 years.
The runners were categorized into two groups – 28 novice, first-time marathoners and 16 experienced marathoners. All runners had high-resolution 3T MR imaging of their pelvis and hips 4 months before the marathon and within 2 months after the marathon. Outcome measures were change in radiological score of each hip joint structure and muscle and change in the self-reported hip function questionnaire score. Two musculoskeletal radiologists assessed the 3T MRIs. Overall, 21 novice runners completed the marathon training. Experienced marathoners completed other marathons or ultra-marathons during the training period.
Before the marathon, Horga and colleagues identified few hip joint abnormalities in the runners of both groups. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) of CAM-type was seen in 34% of the hips of novice runners. Novice and experienced marathoners had no cartilage lesions; however, the experienced runners had a lower prevalence of hip joint abnormalities than novice marathoners. FAI-CAM was seen in 26% of the hips of the experienced runners. Pre-marathon hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome scores (HOOS) indicated no perceived hip problems in either group.
After the marathon, there was no change in full-thickness defects acetabular cartilage in either group of runners. The main weight-bearing of the hips was unaffected, and no changes in abductor muscles or tendons were seen in either group.
Researchers observed a slight increase in the size of preexisting pre-marathon bone edema in one novice runner and one experienced runner; however, the results were not statistically significant. Pre- and post-marathon self-reported HOOS were not significantly different in either group. Horga said this is the largest MRI study of long-distance runners.
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Horga LM, et al. Paper 2385. Presented at: Virtual EFORT Congress; Oct. 28-30, 2020.
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