TY - JOUR

T1 - An exploratory study to investigate the association between age, physical activity, femoral trochlear cartilage thickness and biomarkers of tissue metabolism in adult males

AU - Roberts, Harry

AU - Griffith-Mcgeever, Claire

AU - Owen, Julian

AU - Angell, Lewis

AU - Moore, Jonathan

AU - Thom, Jeanette

PY - 2021/7

Y1 - 2021/7

N2 - Purpose To investigate the association between age, physical activity, femoral trochlear cartilage thickness and biomarkers of tissue metabolism in a cross-sectional sample of adult males. This study utilizes several emerging biomarkers that have been associated with early joint degenerative changes; serum COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein), HA (hyaluronan) and lubricin. Methods Eighty-one males (age: mean (range): 43(18–70) years; body mass index: 25.2 (21.0–30.6) kg/m2) volunteered. Resting serum COMP, HA and lubricin concentrations were determined via commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and femoral trochlear cartilage thickness via supra-patellar ultrasound imaging. Physical activity levels were assessed using questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using correlation and regression analyses. Results Age was correlated with lateral trochlear cartilage thickness (r = − 0.372; p < 0.01) and serum COMP (r = 0.342; p < 0.01). 7-day physical activity was correlated with serum COMP (r = 0.357, p < 0.01), and 12-month physical activity with both lateral trochlear cartilage thickness (r = 0.340, p = 0.01) and serum HA (r = 0.296, p < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that age significantly accounted for the variability in lateral cartilage thickness and serum COMP, following the adjustment for potential cofounders. However, the association between age and lateral trochlear cartilage thickness was not moderated by physical activity levels (all p > 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates that older age may be associated with thinner lateral trochlear cartilage and higher cartilage turnover. Being physically active may also be positive for lateral trochlear cartilage thickness. However, overall, both age and physical activity level only account for a small amount of the variability in cartilage thickness and serum biomarkers.

AB - Purpose To investigate the association between age, physical activity, femoral trochlear cartilage thickness and biomarkers of tissue metabolism in a cross-sectional sample of adult males. This study utilizes several emerging biomarkers that have been associated with early joint degenerative changes; serum COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein), HA (hyaluronan) and lubricin. Methods Eighty-one males (age: mean (range): 43(18–70) years; body mass index: 25.2 (21.0–30.6) kg/m2) volunteered. Resting serum COMP, HA and lubricin concentrations were determined via commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and femoral trochlear cartilage thickness via supra-patellar ultrasound imaging. Physical activity levels were assessed using questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using correlation and regression analyses. Results Age was correlated with lateral trochlear cartilage thickness (r = − 0.372; p < 0.01) and serum COMP (r = 0.342; p < 0.01). 7-day physical activity was correlated with serum COMP (r = 0.357, p < 0.01), and 12-month physical activity with both lateral trochlear cartilage thickness (r = 0.340, p = 0.01) and serum HA (r = 0.296, p < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that age significantly accounted for the variability in lateral cartilage thickness and serum COMP, following the adjustment for potential cofounders. However, the association between age and lateral trochlear cartilage thickness was not moderated by physical activity levels (all p > 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates that older age may be associated with thinner lateral trochlear cartilage and higher cartilage turnover. Being physically active may also be positive for lateral trochlear cartilage thickness. However, overall, both age and physical activity level only account for a small amount of the variability in cartilage thickness and serum biomarkers.

KW - Age

KW - Cartilage metabolism

KW - Joint lubrication

KW - Knee cartilage thickness

KW - Ultrasound

U2 - 10.1007/s00421-021-04655-y

DO - 10.1007/s00421-021-04655-y

M3 - Article

VL - 121

SP - 1871

EP - 1880

JO - European Journal of Applied Physiology

JF - European Journal of Applied Physiology

SN - 1439-6319

IS - 7

ER -