Water polo players and synchronized swimmers have previously been found to have an increased prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement morphology compared to the general population. In this study, we used MRI to identify regional patterns in the microstructure of the hip cartilage and joint of high-level female water polo players and synchronized swimmers. Compared to healthy controls, the water-treading athletes had significantly higher T2 relaxation times in the right hip and a significantly higher prevalence of cam morphology in both hips. This study suggests that microstructural and morphological differences are present in these athletes’ hip cartilage compared to controls.
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