Examining the influence of mechanical loading on articular cartilage adaptation

人们普遍存在一种误解，认为大量的负重运动会对关节内的软骨产生负面影响。然而，负重活动产生的机械负荷对于促进软骨营养和关节功能至关重要。负载不足和过载都会对软骨结构产生负面影响，最佳负载策略仍不清楚，并且可能因人群和条件而异。研究机械载荷对体内软骨影响的一个障碍是缺乏可用的成像方法，并且依赖于不一定模仿人体解剖学或现实生理条件的动物研究。本研究计划的目的是评估人体对习惯性负荷的反应，以及如何优化生物力学功能以实现功能和寿命。 该提案的目的是（1）开发用于股骨软骨的新型超声成像方法，以评估结构、成分和功能（2）探索习惯性和终生负重活动对软骨特征之间的关系，以及（3）评估各种机械负载范例对体内软骨特征的影响。我的跨学科方法整合了超声成像和强大的生物力学分析，以进一步阐明人体模型中软骨发育和适应的生物力学机制。这些数据将有助于提供生物力学上适当且基于证据的运动处方，以促进软骨发育。本提案中概述的短期目标将有助于我的研究计划的更广泛目标，该计划旨在了解如何优化生物力学功能以实现整个生命周期的活动性。关节软骨的正常功能对于活动能力和寿命至关重要。成像很有用，因为它有助于我们了解正常和压力条件下的软骨发育。通过结合生物力学评估，我的研究还阐明了体内软骨适应的生物力学机制，这将有助于开发生物力学上适当的基于运动的处方，以控制机械负荷的数量和质量。最后，我的研究可能提供一种识别关节疾病高风险个体的方法。与过去的研究一致，拟议的计划将为 HQP 发展提供特殊的培训机会，为他们在行业、研究和临床路径中的职位做好准备。

There is a common misconception that high volumes of weight-bearing exercise negatively influence cartilage within joints. However, mechanical loading from weight-bearing activities is essential to promote cartilage nutrition and joint function. Both under- and over- loading can negatively influence the cartilage structure, and optimal loading strategies remain unclear and likely vary across populations and conditions. A barrier to studying the influence of mechanical loading on cartilage in vivo is the lack of accessible imaging methods, and reliance on animal studies that do not necessarily mimic human anatomy or realistic physiologic conditions. The objective of this research proposal is to evaluate how the human body responds to habitual loading, and how biomechanical function can be optimized for function and longevity. The aims of this proposal are to (1) develop novel ultrasound imaging methods for femoral cartilage that assess both structure, composition, and function (2) explore the relationship between habitual and lifelong weight-bearing activities on cartilage characteristics and (3) to evaluate the effects of various mechanical loading paradigms on cartilage characteristics in vivo. My interdisciplinary approach integrates ultrasound imaging and robust biomechanical analyses to further elucidate biomechanical mechanisms for cartilage development and adaptation in human models. These data will assist in informing biomechanically appropriate and evidence-based exercise prescriptions that promote cartilage development. The short-term goals outlined in this proposal will contribute to the broader goal of my research program, which seeks to understand how to optimize biomechanical function for mobility across the lifespan. Proper function of articular cartilage is essential to mobility and longevity. Imaging is useful because it assists our understanding of cartilage development under normal and stressful conditions. By incorporating biomechanical assessments, my research also elucidates biomechanical mechanisms for cartilage adaptation in vivo, which will assist in developing biomechanically appropriate exercise-based prescriptions that manipulate the quantity and quality of mechanical loading. Finally, my research may provide a method to identify individuals at high risk for joint disease. Consistent with past research, the proposed program will offer exceptional training opportunities for HQP development that will prepare them for positions in industry, research, and clinical pathways.