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Hack L, Singh B, Binkofski F, Helmich I. Repetitive Subconcussive Head Impacts in Sports and Their Impact on Brain Anatomy and Function: A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Med 2024. [PMID: 38857880 DOI: 10.1055/a-2342-3604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Repetitive subconcussive head impacts occur regularly in sports. However, the exact relationship between their biomechanical properties and their consequences on brain structure and function has not been clarified yet. We therefore reviewed prospective cohort studies that objectively reported the biomechanical characteristics of repetitive subconcussive head impacts and their impact on brain anatomy and function. Only studies with a pre- to post-measurement design were included. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Structural white matter alterations, such as reduced fractional anisotropy and an increase in mean diffusivity values, seem to be evident in athletes exposed to repetitive subconcussive head impacts exceeding 10 g. Such changes are observable after only one season of play. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship exists between white matter abnormalities and the total number of subconcussive head impacts. However, functional changes after repetitive subconcussive head impacts remain inconclusive. We therefore conclude that repetitive subconcussive head impacts induce structural changes, but thus far without overt functional changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hack
- Department of Motor Behavior in Sports, German Sport University Cologne, Koln, Germany
- Department of Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bhagyashree Singh
- Department of Motor Behavior in Sports, German Sport University Cologne, Koln, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Binkofski
- Clinical Cognitive Sciences, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen , Germany
| | - Ingo Helmich
- Department of Motor Behavior in Sports, German Sport University Cologne, Koln, Germany
- Department of Exercise and Sport Studies, Smith College, Northampton, United States
- Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry, German Sport University Cologne, Koln, Germany
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McPherson AL, Anderson T, Finnoff JT, Adams WM. Head Kinematics and Injury Analysis in Elite Bobsleigh Athletes Throughout a World Cup Tour. J Athl Train 2024; 59:584-593. [PMID: 37648215 PMCID: PMC11220765 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0014.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The neurocognitive health effects of repetitive head impacts have been examined in many sports. However, characterizations of head impacts for sliding-sport athletes are lacking. OBJECTIVE To describe head impact kinematics and injury epidemiology in elite athletes during the 2021-2022 Bobsleigh World Cup season. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING On-track training and competitions during the Bobsleigh World Cup season. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Twelve elite bobsleigh athletes (3 pilots [1 female], 9 push athletes [5 females]; age = 30 ± 5 years; female height and weight = 173 ± 8 cm and 75 ± 5 kg, respectively; male height and weight = 183 ± 5 cm and 101 ± 5 kg, respectively). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Athletes wore an accelerometer-enabled mouthguard to quantify 6-degrees-of-freedom head impact kinematics. Isometric absolute and relative neck strength, number of head acceleration events (HAEs), workload (J), peak linear velocity (m·s-1), peak angular velocity (rad·s-1), peak linear acceleration (g), and peak angular acceleration (rad·s-2) were derived from mouthguard manufacturer algorithms. Linear mixed-effect models tested the effects of sex (male versus female), setting (training versus competition), and position (pilot versus push athlete) on the kinematic variables. RESULTS A total of 1900 HAEs were recorded over 48 training and 53 competition days. No differences were found between the number of HAEs per run per athlete by sex (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.82, P = .741), setting (IRR = 0.94, P = .325), or position (IRR = 1.64, P = .463). No sex differences were observed for workload (mean ± SD: males = 3.3 ± 2.2 J, females = 3.1 ± 1.9 J; P = .646), peak linear velocity (males = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s-1, females = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s-1; P = .706), peak angular velocity (males = 4.2 ± 2.1 rad·s-1, females = 4.7 ± 2.5 rad·s-1; P = .220), peak linear acceleration (male = 12.4 ± 3.9g, females = 11.9 ± 3.5g; P = .772), or peak angular acceleration (males = 610 ± 353 rad·s-2, females = 680 ± 423 rad·s-2; P = .547). Also, no effects of setting or position on any kinematic variables were seen. Male athletes had greater peak neck strength than female athletes for all neck movements, aside from right-side flexion (P = .085), but no sex differences were noted in relative neck strength. CONCLUSIONS We provide a foundational understanding of the repetitive HAEs that occur in bobsleigh athletes. Future authors should determine the effects of repetitive head impacts on neurocognitive function and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- April L. McPherson
- Department of Sports Medicine, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Colorado Springs
- United States Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, Colorado Springs
| | - Travis Anderson
- Department of Sports Medicine, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Colorado Springs
- United States Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, Colorado Springs
| | - Jonathan T. Finnoff
- Department of Sports Medicine, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Colorado Springs
- United States Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, Colorado Springs
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver
| | - William M. Adams
- Department of Sports Medicine, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Colorado Springs
- United States Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, Colorado Springs
- Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina-Greensboro
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), UK
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Croteau F, Leclerc S, Moroz M. Incidence of Concussions in Elite Female Water Polo: A Retrospective Analysis. Clin J Sport Med 2023; 33:e181-e185. [PMID: 37796221 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current evidence for concussions is mixed in water polo players. Surveys suggest rates as high as 36%, whereas surveillance studies at international competitions often fail to report them at all. The goal of this study was to examine the incidence of concussions in elite female water polo players from surveillance tools implemented longitudinally. DESIGN Retrospective chart analysis of 10 years spanning between 2012 and 2022. SETTING National teams or professional sports. PARTICIPANTS Female players from the Canadian senior national water polo teams that participated in international competitions and trained more than 10 hours per week in a competitive environment. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS Included player position, recurrence, and time loss before full return to play. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of concussion diagnosis. RESULTS Forty-three concussions were identified over the 10 years observed at a median count of 3 concussions per year. Cumulative days lost spanned between 25 and 348 days per team*year. Altogether, this produced a median rate of 14.3 injuries per 100 player*years. Goalkeepers in the sample suffered the highest rates of concussion (25.8%), compared with players in other positions (22.8% of centers and 16.7% of drivers). CONCLUSIONS This study found evidence for prevalence of concussions in elite female water polo players. Improved guidelines preceded a significant reduction in time loss after the year 2017. This adds to a body of knowledge suggesting that improved surveillance methods are needed to detect and care for concussions in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Croteau
- Sports Medicine, Institut National du Sport du Québec, Montréal, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Water Polo Canada, Montréal, Canada; and
| | - Suzanne Leclerc
- Sports Medicine, Institut National du Sport du Québec, Montréal, Canada
- Water Polo Canada, Montréal, Canada; and
- Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Mickey Moroz
- Sports Medicine, Institut National du Sport du Québec, Montréal, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Water Polo Canada, Montréal, Canada; and
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Grijalva C, Hale D, Wu L, Toosizadeh N, Laksari K. Hyper-acute effects of sub-concussive soccer headers on brain function and hemodynamics. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1191284. [PMID: 37780960 PMCID: PMC10538631 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1191284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sub-concussive head impacts in soccer are drawing increasing research attention regarding their acute and long-term effects as players may experience thousands of headers in a single season. During these impacts, the head experiences rapid acceleration similar to what occurs during a concussion, but without the clinical implications. The physical mechanism and response to repetitive impacts are not completely understood. The objective of this work was to examine the immediate functional outcomes of sub-concussive level impacts from soccer heading in a natural, non-laboratory environment. Methods Twenty university level soccer athletes were instrumented with sensor-mounted bite bars to record impacts from 10 consecutive soccer headers. Pre- and post-header measurements were collected to determine hyper-acute changes, i.e., within minutes after exposure. This included measuring blood flow velocity using transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound, oxyhemoglobin concentration using functional near infrared spectroscopy imaging (fNIRS), and upper extremity dual-task (UEF) neurocognitive testing. Results On average, the athletes experienced 30.7 ± 8.9 g peak linear acceleration and 7.2 ± 3.1 rad/s peak angular velocity, respectively. Results from fNIRS measurements showed an increase in the brain oxygenation for the left prefrontal cortex (PC) (p = 0.002), and the left motor cortex (MC) (p = 0.007) following the soccer headers. Additional analysis of the fNIRS time series demonstrates increased sample entropy of the signal after the headers in the right PC (p = 0.02), right MC (p = 0.004), and left MC (p = 0.04). Discussion These combined results reveal some variations in brain oxygenation immediately detected after repetitive headers. Significant changes in balance and neurocognitive function were not observed in this study, indicating a mild level of head impacts. This is the first study to observe hemodynamic changes immediately after sub-concussive impacts using non-invasive portable imaging technology. In combination with head kinematic measurements, this information can give new insights and a framework for immediate monitoring of sub-concussive impacts on the head.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa Grijalva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Dallin Hale
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lyndia Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nima Toosizadeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Arizona Center for Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kaveh Laksari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Sundaram V, Sundar V, Pearce AJ. Biomechanical characteristics of concussive and sub-concussive impacts in youth sports athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37393593 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2231317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to quantitatively investigate and report the biomechanical characteristics of concussive and sub-concussive impacts in youth sports. A systematic search was conducted in September 2022 to identify biomechanical impact studies in athletes ≤18 years of age. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative synthesis and analysis. DerSimonian Laird random effects model was used to pool data across the included studies. The pooled estimate of mean peak linear and rotational acceleration of concussive impacts in male youth athletes was 85.56 g (95% CI 69.34-101.79) and 4505.58 rad/s2 (95% CI 2870.28-6140.98), respectively. The pooled estimate of mean peak linear and rotational acceleration of sub-concussive impacts in youth athletes was 22.89 g (95% CI 20.69-25.08) and 1290.13 rad/s2 (95% CI 1050.71-1529.55), respectively. A male vs female analysis in sub-concussive impacts revealed higher linear and rotational acceleration in males and females, respectively. This is the first study to report on impact data in both sexes of youth athletes. Disparity in kinematic impact values suggests future research should aim for standardised measures to reduce heterogeneity in data. Despite this, the data reveals notable impact data that youth athletes are exposed to, suggesting modifications may be required to reduce long-term neurological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanth Sundaram
- Department of Sports Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai, India
| | - Viswanath Sundar
- Physical Education and Sports Science, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, India
| | - Alan J Pearce
- College of Science, Health, and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia
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Morita Y, Kamagata K, Andica C, Takabayashi K, Kikuta J, Fujita S, Samoyeau T, Uchida W, Saito Y, Tabata H, Naito H, Someya Y, Kaga H, Tamura Y, Miyata M, Akashi T, Wada A, Taoka T, Naganawa S, Watada H, Kawamori R, Abe O, Aoki S. Glymphatic system impairment in nonathlete older male adults who played contact sports in their youth associated with cognitive decline: A diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1100736. [PMID: 36873446 PMCID: PMC9977161 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1100736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Exposure to contact sports in youth causes brain health problems later in life. For instance, the repetitive head impacts in contact sports might contribute to glymphatic clearance impairment and cognitive decline. This study aimed to assess the effect of contact sports participation in youth on glymphatic function in old age and the relationship between glymphatic function and cognitive status using the analysis along the perivascular space (ALPS) index. Materials and methods A total of 52 Japanese older male subjects were included in the study, including 12 who played heavy-contact sports (mean age, 71.2 years), 15 who played semicontact sports (mean age, 73.1 years), and 25 who played noncontact sports (mean age, 71.3 years) in their youth. All brain diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) of the subjects were acquired using a 3T MRI scanner. The ALPS indices were calculated using a validated semiautomated pipeline. The ALPS indices from the left and right hemispheres were compared between groups using a general linear model, including age and years of education. Furthermore, partial Spearman's rank correlation tests were performed to assess the correlation between the ALPS indices and cognitive scores (Mini-Mental State Examination and the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA-J]) after adjusting for age years of education and HbA1c. Results The left ALPS index was significantly lower in the heavy-contact and semicontact groups than that in the noncontact group. Although no significant differences were observed in the left ALPS index between the heavy-contact and semicontact groups and in the right ALPS index among groups, a trend toward lower was found in the right ALPS index in individuals with semicontact and heavy-contact compared to the noncontact group. Both sides' ALPS indices were significantly positively correlated with the MoCA-J scores. Conclusion The findings indicated the potential adverse effect of contact sports experience in youth on the glymphatic system function in old age associated with cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Morita
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Kamagata
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Christina Andica
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Faculty of Health Data Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kaito Takabayashi
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Kikuta
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Fujita
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Thomas Samoyeau
- Department of Radiology, Necker Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Wataru Uchida
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Saito
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tabata
- Sportology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Naito
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Someya
- Sportology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Kaga
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Tamura
- Sportology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Miyata
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Akashi
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Wada
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Taoka
- Department of Innovative Biomedical Visualization, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Naganawa
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Watada
- Sportology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Kawamori
- Sportology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Abe
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeki Aoki
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
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Sports-Related Concussion Is a Personalized Issue—Evaluation of Medical Assessment and Subjective Feeling of the Athlete in a German Level 1 Trauma Center. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101596. [PMID: 36294735 PMCID: PMC9605563 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sports-related concussions (SRC) have developed into a highly discussed topic in sports medicine over the last few years and demonstrate a severe issue in the personalized treatment of patients. This retrospective cohort study investigated 86 patients with sports-related concussions in a level 1 trauma center, relating to the mechanism, symptoms, medical history, acute therapy including first assessment and the return to sport. The research is based on medical records as well as questionnaires six months after hospitalization. Loss of consciousness for under 30 min (41.2%), headache (36.5%) and amnesia (29.4%) were the most frequent symptoms when presenting in the emergency room. During the hospitalization, mainly headache and vertigo were documented. Most concussions occurred after incidents in equitation and cycling sports; the most common mechanism was falling to the ground with a subsequent impact (59.3%). At the time of discharge from hospital, in 13.4% of all cases, concussion symptoms were still documented in medical records, in contrast to 39.5% of the concerned athletes who reported symptoms for longer than 24 h, and 41.0% who reported ongoing post-concussion symptoms after six months. Concussions are difficult-to-treat disorders with a challenging diagnostic process and many symptoms in various values and levels of persistence. Therefore, a patient-involving treatment with a complaint-dependent return to sport process should be applied to concerned athletes.
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Tierney G. Concussion biomechanics, head acceleration exposure and brain injury criteria in sport: a review. Sports Biomech 2021:1-29. [PMID: 34939531 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2021.2016929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
There are mounting concerns surrounding the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and complications associated with concussion incidence and repetitive head acceleration events (HAE) in sport. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of concussion biomechanics, head acceleration exposure and brain injury criteria in sport. Rotational head motion appears to be the primary contributor to brain injury risk due to the unique mechanical properties of the brain and its location within the body. There is a growing evidence base of different biomechanical brain injury mechanisms, including those involving repetitive HAE. Historically, many studies on concussion biomechanics, head acceleration exposure and brain injury criteria in sport have been limited by validity of the biomechanical approaches undertaken. Biomechanical approaches such as instrumented mouthguards and subject-specific finite element (FE) brain models provide a unique opportunity to develop greater brain injury criteria and aid in on-field athlete removal. Implementing these approaches on a large-scale can gain insight into potential risk factors within sports and certain athletes/cohorts who sustain a greater number and/or severity of HAE throughout their playing career. These findings could play a key role in the development of concussion prevention strategies and techniques that mitigate the severity of HAE in sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Tierney
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, UK
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Head Impact Research Using Inertial Sensors in Sport: A Systematic Review of Methods, Demographics, and Factors Contributing to Exposure. Sports Med 2021; 52:481-504. [PMID: 34677820 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01574-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number and magnitude of head impacts have been assessed in-vivo using inertial sensors to characterise the exposure in various sports and to help understand their potential relationship to concussion. OBJECTIVES We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the field of in-vivo sensor acceleration event research in sports via the summary of data collection and processing methods, population demographics and factors contributing to an athlete's exposure to sensor acceleration events. METHODS The systematic search resulted in 185 cohort or cross-sectional studies that recorded sensor acceleration events in-vivo during sport participation. RESULTS Approximately 5800 participants were studied in 20 sports using 18 devices that included instrumented helmets, headbands, skin patches, mouthguards and earplugs. Female and youth participants were under-represented and ambiguous results were reported for these populations. The number and magnitude of sensor acceleration events were affected by a variety of contributing factors, suggesting sport-specific analyses are needed. For collision sports, being male, being older, and playing in a game (as opposed to a practice), all contributed to being exposed to more sensor acceleration events. DISCUSSION Several issues were identified across the various sensor technologies, and efforts should focus on harmonising research methods and improving the accuracy of kinematic measurements and impact classification. While the research is more mature for high-school and collegiate male American football players, it is still in its early stages in many other sports and for female and youth populations. The information reported in the summarised work has improved our understanding of the exposure to sport-related head impacts and has enabled the development of prevention strategies, such as rule changes. CONCLUSIONS Head impact research can help improve our understanding of the acute and chronic effects of head impacts on neurological impairments and brain injury. The field is still growing in many sports, but technological improvements and standardisation of processes are needed.
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Potential Mechanisms of Acute Standing Balance Deficits After Concussions and Subconcussive Head Impacts: A Review. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:2693-2715. [PMID: 34258718 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02831-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Standing balance deficits are prevalent after concussions and have also been reported after subconcussive head impacts. However, the mechanisms underlying such deficits are not fully understood. The objective of this review is to consolidate evidence linking head impact biomechanics to standing balance deficits. Mechanical energy transferred to the head during impacts may deform neural and sensory components involved in the control of standing balance. From our review of acute balance-related changes, concussions frequently resulted in increased magnitude but reduced complexity of postural sway, while subconcussive studies showed inconsistent outcomes. Although vestibular and visual symptoms are common, potential injury to these sensors and their neural pathways are often neglected in biomechanics analyses. While current evidence implies a link between tissue deformations in deep brain regions including the brainstem and common post-concussion balance-related deficits, this link has not been adequately investigated. Key limitations in current studies include inadequate balance sampling duration, varying test time points, and lack of head impact biomechanics measurements. Future investigations should also employ targeted quantitative methods to probe the sensorimotor and neural components underlying balance control. A deeper understanding of the specific injury mechanisms will inform diagnosis and management of balance deficits after concussions and subconcussive head impact exposure.
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11
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Dhote VV, Raja MKMM, Samundre P, Sharma S, Anwikar S, Upaganlawar AB. Sports Related Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration in Athletes. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 15:51-76. [PMID: 34515018 DOI: 10.2174/1874467214666210910114324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sports deserve a special place in human life to impart healthy and refreshing wellbeing. However, sports activities, especially contact sports, renders athlete vulnerable to brain injuries. Athletes participating in a contact sport like boxing, rugby, American football, wrestling, and basketball are exposed to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions. The acute and chronic nature of these heterogeneous injuries provides a spectrum of dysfunctions that alters the neuronal, musculoskeletal, and behavioral responses of an athlete. Many sports-related brain injuries go unreported, but these head impacts trigger neurometabolic disruptions that contribute to long-term neuronal impairment. The pathophysiology of post-concussion and its underlying mechanisms are undergoing intense research. It also shed light on chronic disorders like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. In this review, we examined post-concussion neurobehavioral changes, tools for early detection of signs, and their impact on the athlete. Further, we discussed the role of nutritional supplements in ameliorating neuropsychiatric diseases in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin V Dhote
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP,462044. India
| | | | - Prem Samundre
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP,462044. India
| | - Supriya Sharma
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP,462044. India
| | - Shraddha Anwikar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP,462044. India
| | - Aman B Upaganlawar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP,462044. India
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12
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Huber CM, Patton DA, Jain D, Master CL, Margulies SS, McDonald CC, Arbogast KB. Variations in Head Impact Rates in Male and Female High School Soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 53:1245-1251. [PMID: 33986230 PMCID: PMC8122001 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Repetitive head impacts in soccer have been linked to short-term neurophysiological deficits, and female soccer players have higher concussion rates than males. These findings have inspired investigation into gender differences in head impact exposure and how head impact rate contributes to the cumulative effect of head impact exposure on neurological outcomes. Various periods of exposure have been used to calculate head impact rates, including head impacts per season, game, and player-hour. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to apply different methodological approaches to quantify and compare head impact rates by gender for two seasons of high school varsity soccer. METHODS Video review was used to confirm all events recorded by a headband-mounted impact sensor and calculate playing time for all players. Impact rates were calculated per athlete exposure (presence and participation) and per player-hour (scheduled game time, individual play time, and absolute time). RESULTS Impact rates per athlete exposure ranged from 2.5 to 3.2 for males and from 1.4 to 1.6 for females, and impact rates per player-hour ranged from 2.7 to 3.8 for males and from 1.0 to 1.6 for females. The exposure calculation method significantly affected head impact rates; however, regardless of approach, the head impact rate for males was higher, up to threefold, than for females. Individual head impact exposure varied substantially within a team with one in five players experiencing no impacts. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the gender differences found in this study indicate that males experience higher head impact exposure compared with females. Future studies are needed to understand potential clinical implications of variability in head impact exposure and reconcile higher female concussion rates with the reduced head impact rates presented herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M Huber
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Declan A. Patton
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Divya Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Christina L. Master
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA,Sports Medicine and Performance Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Susan S. Margulies
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Catherine C. McDonald
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA,School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kristy B. Arbogast
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Koopmann T, Faber I, Baker J, Schorer J. Assessing Technical Skills in Talented Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 2021; 50:1593-1611. [PMID: 32495253 PMCID: PMC7441090 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Talent identification and development (TID) programs aim to identify players with the greatest potential for long-term success. Previous research suggests that the assessment of sport-specific technical skills is valuable for discriminating between more and less skilled individuals and/or for predicting future performance. Objective This review aims to provide an overview on both the instruments used to assess sport-specific technical skills and their discriminatory, explanatory and/or predictive findings in the context of TID. Methods Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, SPORTDiscus, SURF and Scopus (January 1990–October 2019). Search terms covered the areas of sport, technical skills assessment, performance, skill level and youth. In the end, 59 relevant studies were identified and evaluated. Results The results highlight the widespread and important role of technical skills in TID; almost all studies (93%) reported discriminatory, explanatory and/or predictive benefits for the assessment of sport-specific technical skills. Analyzing and categorizing the number of assessment methods applied in the studies (n = 69) according to their method type (‘technique-related’ or ‘outcome-related’ variables) and method set-up (‘experimental’ or ‘competition’ data acquisition environment) indicated a clear tendency towards ‘outcome-related’ (73%) and ‘experimental’ (75%) assessment methods. We also found a strong overrepresentation of studies assessing cross-sectional data (75%) in soccer (53%) in male samples (74% of studies reporting subjects’ sex) from European countries (64%). Conclusions On the one hand, our findings demonstrate the great capability of sport-specific technical skills assessments to discriminate different performance levels and predict future performance in TID activities. On the other hand, this review highlights the focus on ‘outcome-related’ and ‘experimental’ methods in specific populations and, consequently, the limited knowledge in other areas. Here, the application of ‘technique-related’ and ‘competition’ methods appears promising for adding new knowledge, especially in the light of technological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Koopmann
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Irene Faber
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.,International Table Tennis Federation, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Baker
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jörg Schorer
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
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14
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Reply to Fanton et al.: Comment on "Frequency and Magnitude of Game-Related Head Impacts in Male Contact Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". Sports Med 2019; 50:843-844. [PMID: 31761992 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01231-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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15
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Fanton M, Wu L, Camarillo D. Comment on "Frequency and Magnitude of Game-Related Head Impacts in Male Contact Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Sports Med 2019; 50:841-842. [PMID: 31761993 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fanton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Lyndia Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David Camarillo
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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