Return to sport

Ultrasound

Elite

Context (archaeology)

Intensive care medicine

Athletes

Tendon

Biology

Medical physics

Computer science

Radiology

Paleontology

Politics

Political science

Physical therapy

Artificial intelligence

Sports medicine

Medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Perspective (graphical)

Pathology

Elite athletes

Narrative review

Sports Medicine

Ultrasound (US) imaging has been widely used in both research and clinical settings to evaluate the morphological and mechanical properties of muscle and tendon. In elite sports scenarios, a regular assessment of such properties has great potential, namely for testing the response to training, detecting athletes at higher risks of injury, screening athletes for structural abnormalities related to current or future musculoskeletal complaints, and monitoring their return to sport after a musculoskeletal injury. However, several practical and methodological aspects of US techniques should be considered when applying this technology in the elite sports context. Therefore, this narrative review aims to (1) present the principal US measures and field of applications in the context of elite sports; (2) to discuss, from a methodological perspective, the strengths and shortcomings of US imaging for the assessment of muscle and tendon properties; and (3) to provide future directions for research and application.

Implementing Ultrasound Imaging for the Assessment of Muscle and Tendon Properties in Elite Sports: Practical Aspects, Methodological Considerations and Future Directions