Effects of Competition Level on the Prevalence and Incidence of Lumbar Disk Degeneration in Japanese Collegiate Gymnasts.

Background: Lumbar disk degeneration (LDD) occurs frequently in athletes. Researchers have found that LDD occurs mainly in the lower disks (L4/L5 and L5/S1) in the general and athletic populations. However, a retrospective study showed a high prevalence of LDD in the upper lumbar disks (L1/L2), especially in elite gymnasts.

Anterior Limbus Vertebra and Intervertebral Disk Degeneration in Japanese Collegiate Gymnasts.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that gymnasts have a high prevalence of radiological abnormalities, such as intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and anterior limbus vertebra (ALV). These 2 abnormalities may coexist at the same spinal level. However, the relationship between IDD and ALV remains unclear.