Summer Sports

This issue of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology is dedicated to the imaging evaluation of musculoskeletal injuries associated with summer sports, widely practiced across all age groups at levels of performance from recreational to elite competition. With their inclusion in major international events such as the Summer Olympic Games, the epidemiology of injuries associated with these sports has become increasingly well defined and clinically relevant, highlighting the need for precise sport-informed diagnostic imaging approaches.

A wide variety of sports are discussed: soccer, track and field, aquatic sports, gymnastics, handball, basketball, volleyball, cycling, tennis, weight lifting, rugby, cricket, and a special section on surfing and skateboarding, the new Olympic disciplines. These activities represent a wide range of kinematic patterns and biomechanical demands, from endurance and high-impact collisions to acrobatic and rotationally complex movements.

The interpretation of imaging findings in these contexts requires an understanding of sport-specific injury patterns. Furthermore, the incorporation of new Olympic sports introduces novel injury patterns that radiologists and other providers must recognize and interpret.

Each article offers a critical appraisal of common injuries, mechanisms of trauma, and imaging modalities most appropriate for the diagnosis. The reviews integrate current literature with expert insights on biomechanics and imaging, emphasizing the roles of magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, computed tomography, and advanced imaging techniques in both acute and chronic scenarios.

This issue of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology will serve as a comprehensive reference for musculoskeletal radiologists, sports medicine physicians, and allied professionals who diagnose and manage sport-related musculoskeletal disorders. It underscores the importance of integrating imaging expertise with a solid understanding of sport-specific biomechanics.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 July 2025