On the Pitch, Pocket-sized Ultrasound Safeguards Czech National Football Team

As the whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup blows, the world turns its eyes to football – a sport that unites and excites people across the globe. But behind every stunning goal and triumphant victory, there is an often invisible battle that players fight: the battle against injury. Medical teams and equipment have become absolutely vital – particularly when it comes to young players who are still growing and developing.

On the sidelines of the Czech national football team's training ground, Dr. Rukavička – the head physician of FC Viktoria Plzeň who also works for the national team – reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a ultrasound device no bigger than the palm of his hand. He uses Mindray's Wireless Handheld Ultrasound TE Air to perform a quick pre-match scan on the young U21 players about to take to the field. It has become a unique and reassuring part of the team's medical routine – helping to safeguard the next generation of football stars.

For professional athletes, few things are more feared than injury. Statistics show that in Europe's top five football leagues, 22,000 injuries were recorded between 2020 and 2025. The total wages paid to sidelined players during that period are estimated at €3.45 billion^[1].

And this is not just a European story. A three-season study (2021–2024) of one football team found that 90.7% of its first-team players suffered injuries^[2]. That means, over a long season, nearly every single player is playing through pain.

Source: Czech national football team official account

Beyond the financial toll on clubs, injuries are a major career hurdle for footballers. Research shows that after returning from a muscle injury, players see a significant drop in top speed, acceleration, deceleration, overall performance index, and sprint count. The longer the recovery, the worse the performance. Protecting players has become a top priority for clubs everywhere^[3].

Among all the players who need protection, one group stands out: young athletes who are still growing. With developing bones and ongoing physical changes, they are more vulnerable to injury. Yet they are also the future of the sport – the backbone of their national teams.

That's why the Czech national football team places such importance on ultrasound monitoring for its U21 players. With ongoing growth potential, timely support, proactive health monitoring and rapid injury rehabilitation are critical.

Mindray's wireless pocket-sized ultrasound TE Air provides fast, precise musculoskeletal and joint examinations. It is fully wireless – connecting to a smartphone or tablet – and features fast charging, rugged durability, and easy cleaning to withstand tough conditions. No longer confined to the medical room, it accompanies the team doctor to training sessions and matches, safeguarding athletes everywhere.

The portability of ultrasound brings another major advantage: beyond quickly assessing injuries during and after games, the team doctor can also perform risk screenings in a wide range of settings – stopping threats before they even start.

Risk screening for athletes is becoming more common. In recent years, football clubs and medical institutions around the world have been increasingly adopting musculoskeletal ultrasound to accurately identify chronic strains, joint effusions, apophysitis (bone growth plate inflammation), and other early, hidden injuries that are invisible to the naked eye. The goal is early detection and early warning.

One study found that pre-training ultrasound can reveal asymptomatic tendon abnormalities. Athletes with such abnormalities face a relative risk of injury up to 21 times higher than those without. Ultrasound scanning is a better predictor of future sports injuries than the athlete's own reported medical history or feelings of pain^[4].

Mindray Consona N6 on Pilsen Arena
1 day before Champions league match Viktoria Plzeň – Manchester United

Today, ultrasound has become an increasingly important tool in sports medicine. Its portability and resolution are opening up new possibilities for screening and prognosis in clubs and medical institutions.

As ultrasound moves from hospital imaging departments to the green pitch – evolving from a treatment tool into an early warning mechanism – more young dreamers, just like the Czech U21 players, can enjoy better protection throughout their careers. They can stay clear of the shadow of injury and race across the field without a worry.

Reference:

[1] 《Howden’s 2024/25 Men’s European Football Injury Index》
[2] Bezuglov E.N., Malyakin G.I., Etemad O.A., Baranova D.S., Vinogradov M.A., Goncharov E.N. Injury epidemiology of the Russian Premier League leading soccer team during the competitive seasons 2021–2022 and 2023–2024. Sports medicine: research and practice. 2024;14(4):13-20. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2024.4.5
[3] Pecci J, Sánchez-Trigo H, Mancha-Triguero D, et al. Return to performance: machine learning insights into how absence time following muscle injuries affects match running performance in LaLiga soccer players. Biology of Sport. 2025;42(4):275-286. doi:10.5114/biolsport.2025.151651.
[4] Cushman D M , Stokes D , Vu L ,et al.Ultrasound as a predictor of time-loss injury for the patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in division I collegiate athletes[J].British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025, 59(4).DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2024-109066.