MRI for summer athletes – cycling, swimming, athletics
Summer sports are associated with specific injuries: cyclists – spine and knee; swimmers – shoulder; athletics – tendons and muscles.
APERTA Diagnostic Centre, Rzeszów – Poland’s first high-field open 1 Tesla MRI scanner. Ideal for professional athletes who need rapid diagnosis without the stress of claustrophobia.
The most common conditions and recommended MRI scans
The list below includes common conditions in athletes practising summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) and the MRI protocols recommended for diagnosis.
Summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) – MRI
Swimmer’s shoulder
Subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendinopathy in swimmers.
Recommended MRI examinations:- Shoulder MRI
- T2 fat-saturated oblique coronal
- ABER sequences optional
Summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) – MRI
Cyclist’s low back pain
The cycling position puts strain on the lower back. MRI is indicated for radiculopathic lumbago.
Recommended MRI examinations:- Lumbar MRI
- T2 sagittal + axial
- STIR sagittal
Summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) – MRI
Patellofemoral syndrome (cyclist’s knee)
Repetitive pedalling puts strain on the patellofemoral joint.
Recommended MRI scans:- Knee MRI
- PD fat-sat axial
- T2 mapping of cartilage
Summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) – MRI
Quadriceps strains
In sprinters and jumpers – sudden impact injuries.
Recommended MRI scans:- MRI of the thigh
- STIR coronal
- T2 fat-saturated axial
Summer sports (cycling, swimming, athletics) – MRI
Metatarsal stress fracture
In long-distance runners. Early MRI diagnosis saves the season.
Recommended MRI scans:- Foot MRI
- STIR sequences
- T1 axial
Why is the 1T open MRI available for athletes?
- No width restrictions – bodybuilders, basketball players and hockey players of large build can be examined without any problems
- Comfortable position – the absence of a tunnel reduces post-injury stress
- Short scan time – most protocols take 15–25 minutes
- Specialist report – radiologist with experience in sports medicine
- MR-arthro option – intra-articular contrast for precise diagnosis
Are you a professional or amateur athlete?
Book an MRI scan without waiting in NHS queues. Results in 24–48 hours.
Book an MRI for athletes ->
