Difference in Articular Degeneration Depending on the Type of Sport

Abstract Objective This study aimed to determine whether type II collagen degradation is determined by the type of sport. Thus, CTX-II, a serum biomarker of collagen degradation, was measured in athletes from several different sports and compared to matched controls. Methods The sample size consisted of 69 female participants aged 18–25 years, of whom 15 were members of a soccer team, ten of a futsal team, ten of a handball team, 18 of a volleyball team, and seven of a swimming team. Nine sedentary age- and sex-matched individuals were included in the control group. A 3 mL blood sample was collected from each participant and analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results A comparison of the CTX-II values from the participants from different sports compared to the control group resulted in the following p-values: volleyball (p = 0.21); field soccer (p = 0.91); handball (p = 0.13); futsal (p = 0.02); and swimming (p = 0.0015). Therefore, in the investigated population, futsal represented the highest risk for type II collagen degradation and, consequently, for articular cartilage degradation, whereas swimming was a protective factor for articular cartilage. No statistically significant difference was found in the body mass index among the groups. Conclusion Futsal players are exposed to greater articular degradation, while swimmers exhibit less cartilage degradation compared to the control group in the study population, suggesting that strengthening the periarticular muscles and aerobic exercise in low-load environments have a positive effect on articular cartilage.