Why this matters:
- A new MSU study found that wireless ultrasounds, compared to standard ultrasounds, provide accurate measurements of muscle size and muscle quality in female Division I athletes.
- Wireless ultrasounds can shorten the time needed to perform scans, are more cost-effective, and are easier to use in the field — making them especially valuable for sports medicine professionals monitoring athletes during a season.
- Although more research is needed, muscle assessments using wireless ultrasound are a reasonable alternative to standard ultrasound.
Many student-athletes are preparing or returning to the field or court for their upcoming season. With the start of both collegiate and professional sports, injuries are inevitable — and when they do happen, getting fast, reliable results can make all the difference.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that wireless ultrasound devices, which are smaller and more portable compared to standard machines, can provide athletic trainers and other medical professionals with similar information. Not only do wireless ultrasounds deliver results faster and at lower cost, but they also enable imaging in field-based settings — like sidelines or dugouts — which is not possible with standard, cart-based machines.
The study, published in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, was led by first author Jessica Tolzman, a doctoral student, and senior author Matthew Harkey, an assistant professor, both of whom are based in the Department of Kinesiology and conduct research in the Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation Labs within MSU’s College of Education. The research team also included collaborators from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia and the Nike Sport Research Lab…