Springbok Muscle Analysis in Cambridge
Springbok Muscle Analysis: Advanced MRI-Based Muscle Health Assessment
Precise, AI-powered muscle analysis using MRI — measuring individual muscle volumes, left-right symmetry, and muscle quality in a single scan.
What is a Springbok scan?
Springbok Analytics is a specialist MRI muscle analysis platform trusted by some of the world’s leading professional sports organisations, including Premier League football clubs and franchises across the NBA, NFL, and MLB. The same technology is now available at Momentm to anyone who wants a genuinely detailed, objective assessment of their muscle health.
A Springbok scan uses your MRI images combined with validated AI software to produce precise measurements of individual muscle groups — their volume, their quality, and how they compare left to right. It is a level of muscular detail that no other non-invasive assessment method can provide.
What it measures
Muscle volume: The scan quantifies the volume of individual muscles and muscle groups across the area scanned, comparing each against a sex-specific reference database. Results are presented on a 1–100 scale so you can see clearly how your muscle development compares to a healthy reference population.
Left-right asymmetry: Imbalances between the left and right side of the body are a well-established risk factor for injury and a common finding in people recovering from previous injuries. The scan measures asymmetry in individual muscles as a percentage, giving precise data that is far more actionable than a visual assessment or manual testing.
Muscle quality and fat infiltration: As well as muscle volume, the scan measures intramuscular fat fraction — the proportion of fat within the muscle tissue itself. Elevated fat infiltration is an early marker of muscle quality decline and is associated with reduced strength, increased injury risk, and age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia).
Scan options
Three scanning protocols are available depending on the area of interest and clinical need. All can be performed as a standalone appointment or added to an existing MRI session.
| Scan | Coverage | Approximate scan time |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Extremity | Hip to ankles | 10 minutes |
| Core | Neck to ankles | 15 minutes |
| Full Body | Complete body including arms | 45 minutes |
Contact us for pricing and to discuss which option is right for you.
Who should consider a Springbok scan
Musculoskeletal injury and rehabilitation: For anyone recovering from a muscle injury, the scan provides objective evidence of how recovery is progressing — identifying whether a muscle has returned to its pre-injury volume and symmetry before a return to full activity. This removes the guesswork from rehabilitation timelines and reduces the risk of re-injury.
Unexplained pain or performance decline: Muscle imbalances and areas of poor muscle quality are not always obvious from symptoms alone. A Springbok scan can identify the underlying structural picture, giving clinicians and patients a clearer basis for treatment decisions.
Age-related muscle loss: Sarcopenia — the progressive loss of muscle mass and quality that occurs with ageing — affects a significant proportion of adults over 60 and begins earlier than most people realise. A Springbok scan provides an objective baseline and allows changes to be tracked precisely over time, supporting earlier intervention.
GLP-1 weight management medications: Patients taking GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) can experience muscle loss alongside fat loss. Where our MRI body composition scan tracks overall muscle mass, a Springbok scan goes further — identifying which specific muscle groups are most affected and providing the granular data needed to target resistance training and protein intake accordingly.
What your report includes
Your Springbok report provides a visual muscle map of the area scanned, showing individual muscle groups with volume scores, left-right asymmetry measurements, and fat infiltration levels for each. Every measurement is set against a sex-specific reference population, and the report includes personalised observations based on your results.
Reports are typically available within 48 to 72 hours of your scan. An optional follow-up consultation with our clinical team is available to walk through your findings in detail.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Before you arrive
No preparation is required. You can eat and drink normally beforehand. Wear comfortable athletic clothing — you will not need to change. Remove metal jewellery and inform us of any implants at the time of booking.
During your scan
You will lie still in the MRI scanner while images are captured of the relevant area. The procedure is entirely non-invasive, requires no injections or contrast agents, and uses no ionising radiation. Scan time depends on the protocol chosen — between ten and 45 minutes.
After the scan
You can resume all normal activities immediately. Your images are processed by Springbok’s AI software and reviewed by our clinical team before your report is issued, typically within 48 to 72 hours.
Springbok Muscle Analysis — Your FAQs
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly through our online portal or by contacting us. If you have been referred by a physiotherapist, sports medicine physician, or other clinician, we are happy to work with them and share your results directly.
Is this the same as a standard MRI scan?
A Springbok scan uses the same MRI scanner as our other services, but the images are processed through Springbok’s specialist AI platform to extract detailed muscle measurements. A standard diagnostic MRI produces images for a radiologist to review; a Springbok scan produces quantitative data on individual muscles that would not be generated from a routine scan.
Can this be combined with other Momentm scans?
Yes. A Springbok scan can be added to an existing MRI appointment or combined with our body composition or liver health packages, depending on the area being scanned. Contact us to discuss combining services.
Is it safe?
Yes. MRI uses no ionising radiation and the procedure requires no injections or contrast agents. Standard MRI safety precautions apply — please let us know at the time of booking if you have any metal implants or other MRI contraindications.
How is this different from a DXA scan?
DXA measures overall muscle mass at a regional level (arms, legs, trunk). Springbok goes considerably further — measuring the volume and quality of individual named muscles, left-right asymmetry within those muscles, and intramuscular fat fraction. The two assessments are complementary rather than alternatives; our team can advise which is most appropriate for your circumstances.
How often should I repeat the scan?
This depends on your goals. For injury rehabilitation, a follow-up scan at eight to twelve weeks is typically useful to assess progress. For monitoring age-related changes or the effects of a training or weight management programme, an annual scan provides a meaningful comparison point. We will include specific guidance in your results report.
Book a Springbok Scan
Contact us to discuss which scanning protocol is right for you and to arrange your appointment.
