Asymptomatic Injury Detection Key for Increasing Athlete Performance
Since 2005, Dr. Marnix van Holsbeeck from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit has been studying how ultrasound scans can identify weaknesses in an athlete's musculoskeletal structure before an injury occurs. Initial results from this research has demonstrated an incidence of asymptomatic injuries in several of the athletes; in a higher than expected incidence in female athletes. This study is being conducted with athletes from the USA Weightlifting, USA Boxing, and the U.S. Women's National Soccer teams using GE Healthcare's LOGIQ i ultrasound technology.

"We were surprised to find that athletes who trained at the highest level with no sign of pain showed early signs of potential injury during routine scanning," said van Holsbeeck. "We've found that ultrasound technology can highlight problems with structure and with mobility of tissues that no other examination technique can show."
"We train so hard as athletes that little injuries can lead to further injuries," said Heather Mitts, defender on the U.S Women's National Soccer Team, who participated in Dr. van Holsbeeck's research study. "Through these routine scans, we can know if we should sit out, but if we know that we can keep going, we can train at the highest level."

In line with GE Healthcare's 'Early Health' vision and its commitment to sports medicine, these imaging technologies can assist clinicians to better understand the human body of elite athletes and the general public.

"If we can move toward predictive healthcare and early detection of disease, we have the potential to dramatically reduce the risks of late-stage disease treatment," said Omar Ishrak,, President & CEO Clinical Systems, GE Healthcare. "Shifting resources to develop technologies that allow healthcare providers to diagnose disease at the earliest possible stage, when there can be many treatment options, is better medicine." added Ishrak.

About GE and the Olympic Games
GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to staging a successful Olympic Games. GE works closely with host countries, cities and organizing committees to provide infrastructure solutions for Olympic venues including power, lighting, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with ultrasound and MRI equipment to help doctors treat athletes. In addition, NBC Universal, a division of GE, is the exclusive U.S. media partner of the Olympic Games, with its partnership also extending through 2012. For more information, visit www.ge.com/olympicgames.

More Industry Headlines