Publications by authors named "Laura M Horga"
Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively evaluate whether there are muscle mass differences between male and female recreational cyclists and compare muscle quality and body composition in the pelvis region between two well-matched groups of fit and healthy male and female adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 45 female and 42 male recreational cyclists. The inclusion criteria for both groups were to have cycled more than 7000 km in the last year, have an absence of injuries and other health problems, have no contraindication to MRI, and be 30-65 years old.
Mid-life cyclists preserve muscle mass and composition: a 3D MRI study.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord
March 2023
Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are crucial factors for delaying and reducing the effects of sarcopenia. Cycling has gained popularity in the last decades among midlife men. While the cardiovascular benefits of cycling and other endurance exercises have been extensively proved, the potential benefits of lifelong aerobic exercise on muscle health have not been adequately studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To better understand the impact of long-distance running on runners' lumbar spines by assessing changes before and after their first marathon run.
Materials And Methods: The lumbar spines of 28 asymptomatic adults (14 males, 14 females, mean age: 30 years old), who registered for their first marathon, the 2019 London Richmond Marathon, were examined 16 weeks before (time point 1) and 2 weeks after (time point 2) the marathon. Participants undertook a pre-race 16-week training programme.
Background: No studies have focused on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hips of marathoners, despite the popularity and injury risks of marathon running.
Purpose: To understand the effect of preparing for and completing a marathon run (42 km) on runners' hip joints by comparing MRI findings before and after their first marathon.
Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.
Objectives: To determine and compare the health status of hip joints of individuals undertaking various lengths of long-distance running and of those who are not running.
Methods: Fifty-two asymptomatic volunteers underwent bilateral hip 3.0 Tesla MRI: (1) 8 inactive non-runners; (2) 28 moderately active runners (average half a marathon (21 km)/week) and (3) 16 highly active runners (≥ marathon (42 km)/week).
Objective: To evaluate changes in the knee joints of asymptomatic first-time marathon runners, using 3.0 T MRI, 6 months after finishing marathon training and run.
Materials And Methods: Six months after their participation in a baseline study regarding their knee joints, 44 asymptomatic novice marathoners (17 males, 27 females, mean age 46 years old) agreed to participate in a repeat MRI investigation: 37 completed both a standardized 4-month-long training programme and the marathon (marathon runners); and 7 dropped out during training (pre-race dropouts).
Objective: To identify abnormalities in asymptomatic sedentary individuals using 3.0 Tesla high-resolution MRI.
Materials And Methods: The cohort comprised of 230 knees of 115 uninjured sedentary adults (51 males, 64 females; median age: 44 years).
Objectives: To evaluate the short-term impact of long-distance running on knee joints using MRI.
Methods: 82 healthy adults participating in their first marathon underwent 3T (Tesla) MRI of both knees 6 months before and half a month after the marathon: 71 completed both the 4 month-long standardised training programme and the marathon; and 11 dropped-out during training and did not run the marathon. Two senior musculoskeletal radiologists graded the internal knee structures using validated scoring systems.