Recent Advances in Woody Breast Detection: From Physical Sensing to Biochemical Markers and Imaging AI (2020–2026)

Woody breast (WB) myopathy is a major quality defect in modern broiler production, but its complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology continues to challenge objective and biologically meaningful detection. This review synthesizes 53 studies identified through a systematic search (January 2020 to May 2026), together with foundational pre-window works cited for context, organized across three main areas: physical and mechanical measurements, biochemical and physiological indicators, and imaging- and artificial intelligence-based approaches. Physical methods provide relatively interpretable measures of tissue properties, including stiffness, electrical behavior, and water mobility. Biochemical and physiological approaches offer greater insight into the mechanisms underlying WB development and may support earlier prediction, although their routine application remains limited. Imaging and AI-based methods appear to be the most scalable options for automated assessment, but their performance is still constrained by limited datasets and imperfect reference standards. Overall, no single modality fully captures the structural, functional, and metabolic complexity of WB. Future advances will require improved quantitative reference frameworks, more robust validation under commercial conditions, and multimodal strategies that better integrate biological relevance with practical applicability.