Texture Analysis of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad Within and Between Collegiate Basketball and Swimming Athletes

Motivation: MRI-based texture features have been used to identify abnormalities within the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) of middle-aged to elderly adults, yet no existing investigations have evaluated IPFP quality in young athletes. Goal(s): To quantify and compare texture features of the IPFP in collegiate athletes comprised of men and women basketball players and swimmers. Approach: Image texture features of the IPFP were calculated from bilateral MRIs acquired at 2 time points. (baseline and 1 yr. follow-up) for collegiate men and women basketball and swimming athletes. Results: The IPFP of collegiate basketball players significantly differed from the swimmers, with greater global and local image homogeneity. Impact: While the texture features of swimmer IPFPs remained consistent across sexes and timepoints, swimmers had significantly greater texture heterogeneity than basketball players at baseline. Observed variability indicates the need for further longitudinal investigation of IPFP structure within low impact sports.