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Published on: July 5, 2017
Muscle Injuries in the Older Athlete.
Tomás Agustín Pascual1, Guillermo Azulay1, Jorge Chahla2
1Department of Radiology, ARTRO I - Instituto de Diagnóstico por Imágenes y Traumatología Deportiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina; ARTRO I - Instituto de Diagnóstico por Imágenes y Traumatología Deportiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America
|July 13, 2026
Summary
Master athletes experience unique muscle injuries due to age-related changes. This review details their specific epidemiology, biomechanics, and imaging features for better diagnosis and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Geriatric Athletics
Background:
- Master athletes (≥40 years) are a growing demographic with distinct muscle injury profiles compared to younger individuals.
- Age-related physiological changes (e.g., fiber loss, fibrosis, tendon degeneration) impact muscle injury characteristics in older athletes.
- Understanding these age-specific alterations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and biomechanics of muscle injuries in master athletes.
- To outline the characteristic ultrasound and MR imaging findings of these injuries.
- To provide recommendations for structured reporting and tailored imaging strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on master athletes (≥40 years) and muscle injuries.
- Analysis of age-related changes affecting muscle and tendon tissues.
- Synthesis of imaging features from ultrasound and MRI studies.
- Evaluation of prognostic factors and potential complications.
Main Results:
- Muscle injuries in master athletes exhibit altered patterns due to factors like type II fiber loss, fatty infiltration, and fibrosis.
- Imaging findings on ultrasound and MRI may differ from younger athletes, influenced by degenerative changes and prior scarring.
- Specific muscle groups and biomechanical factors are key considerations in this population.
Conclusions:
- Master athletes present unique challenges in muscle injury diagnosis and management.
- Tailored imaging protocols and structured reporting are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.
- Further research into age-specific injury mechanisms and recovery is warranted.
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