Examining the influence of mechanical loading on articular cartilage adaptation

有一种普遍的误解，认为高负重运动对关节内的软骨有负面影响。然而，来自负重活动的机械负荷对于促进软骨营养和关节功能是必不可少的。负荷不足和负荷过大都会对软骨结构产生负面影响，最佳负荷策略尚不清楚，可能会因人群和条件而异。在活体内研究机械载荷对软骨的影响的一个障碍是缺乏可访问的成像方法，并且依赖于不一定模拟人体解剖学或现实生理条件的动物研究。这项研究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达到功能和寿命的目的。本研究的目的是：(1)开发新的股骨软骨超声成像方法，评价股骨软骨的结构、成分和功能；(2)探讨习惯性和终生负重活动对软骨特性的影响；(3)评价不同的机械加载模式对体内软骨特性的影响。我的跨学科方法将超声成像和稳健的生物力学分析相结合，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。这些数据将有助于为促进软骨发育的生物力学和循证运动处方提供信息。这项建议中概述的短期目标将有助于我的研究计划的更广泛的目标，该计划试图了解如何优化生物力学功能，以便在整个生命周期内移动。关节软骨的正常功能对活动能力和寿命至关重要。成像是有用的，因为它帮助我们了解软骨在正常和应激条件下的发育。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，这将有助于开发基于生物力学的合适运动处方，控制机械负荷的数量和质量。最后，我的研究可能会提供一种方法来识别关节疾病的高危人群。与过去的研究一致，拟议的计划将为HQP开发提供特殊的培训机会，为他们在工业、研究和临床路径上的职位做好准备。

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.