Elite rock-climbers exhibit early signs of degenerative spinal changes; enhanced analysis using quantitative MRI

The present method identified early signs of disc degeneration in the thoracolumbar spine of elite level climbers compared to controls. The signal reduction, representing disc dehydration, was identified in multiple discs and was more pronounced in the thoracolumbar junction and in the central parts of the discs. As disc dehydration is a recognized risk factor for annular fissures and other degenerative changes, these findings may reflect early stress-related degeneration associated with high training loads in climbing athletes.