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T 1ρ relaxation time provides a new contrast mechanism that differs from T 1-and T 2-weighted contrast, and is useful to study low-frequency motional processes and chemical exchange in biological tissues. T 1ρ imaging can be performed in the forms of T 1ρ-weighted image, T 1ρ mapping and T 1ρ dispersion. T 1ρ imaging, particularly at low spin-lock frequency, is sensitive to B 0 and B 1 inhomogeneity. Various composite spin-lock pulses have been proposed to alleviate the influence of field inhomogeneity so as to reduce the banding-like spin-lock artifacts. T 1ρ imaging could be specific absorption rate (SAR) intensive and time consuming. Efforts to address these issues and speed-up data acquisition are being explored to facilitate wider clinical applications. This paper reviews the T 1ρ imaging’s basic physic principles, as well as its application for cartilage imaging and intervertebral disc imaging. Compared to …