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Field B, Waddington G, McKune A, Goecke R, Gardner AJ. Validation of an instrumented mouthguard in rugby union-a pilot study comparing impact sensor technology to video analysis. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1230202. [PMID: 38053522 PMCID: PMC10694248 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1230202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To better understand the biomechanical profile of direct head impacts and the game scenarios in which they occur in Rugby Union, there is a need for an on-field validation of a new instrumented mouthguard (IMG) against the reference standard. This study considers the potential of a combined biomechanical (IMG) and video analysis approach to direct head impact recognition, both of which in isolation have limitations. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between an instrumented mouthguard and video analysis in detection of direct head impacts in rugby union. Design Pilot Study - Observational Cohort design. Methods The instrumented mouthguard was worn by ten (3 backs, 7 forwards) professional Rugby Union players during the 2020-21 Gallagher Premiership (UK) season. Game-day video was synchronized with timestamped head acceleration events captured from the instrumented mouthguard. Direct Head Impacts were recorded in a 2 × 2 contingency table to determine sensitivity. Impact characteristics were also collected for all verified head impacts to further the understanding of head biomechanics during the game. Results There were 2018 contact events that were reviewed using video analysis. Of those 655 were categorized as direct head impacts which also correlated with a head acceleration event captured by the IMG. Sensitivity analysis showed an overall sensitivity of 93.6% and a positive predictive value (PPV of 92.4%). When false positives were excluded due to ball out of play, mouthguard removal or handling after a scoring situation or stoppage, PPV was improved (98.3%). Most verified head impacts occurred in and around the ruck contest (31.2%) followed by impacts to the primary tackler (28.4%). Conclusion This pilot validation study demonstrates that this IMG provides a highly accurate measurement device that could be used to complement video verification in the recognition of on-field direct head impacts. The frequency and magnitude of direct head impacts derived from specific game scenarios has been described and allows for greater recognition of high-risk situations. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in different populations of Rugby Union players are required to develop our understanding of head impact and enable strategies for injury mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron Field
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gordon Waddington
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Andrew McKune
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise, and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Roland Goecke
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Gardner
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Zu L, Wen J, Wang S, Zhang M, Sun W, Chen B, Wang ZL. Multiangle, self-powered sensor array for monitoring head impacts. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5152. [PMID: 37196075 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Mild concussions occur frequently and may come with long-term cognitive, affective, and physical sequelae. However, the diagnosis of mild concussions lacks objective assessment and portable monitoring techniques. Here, we propose a multiangle self-powered sensor array for real-time monitoring of head impact to further assist in clinical analysis and prevention of mild concussions. The array uses triboelectric nanogenerator technology, which converts impact force from multiple directions into electrical signals. With an average sensitivity of 0.214 volts per kilopascal, a response time of 30 milliseconds, and a minimum resolution of 1.415 kilopascals, the sensors exhibit excellent sensing capability over a range of 0 to 200 kilopascals. Furthermore, the array enables reconstructed head impact mapping and injury grade assessment via a prewarning system. By gathering standardized data, we expect to build a big data platform that will permit in-depth research of the direct and indirect effects between head impacts and mild concussions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zu
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jing Wen
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shengbo Wang
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Senior Department of Cardiology, The First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Wuliang Sun
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
| | - Baodong Chen
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Lin Wang
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245, USA
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Wall C, Powell D, Young F, Zynda AJ, Stuart S, Covassin T, Godfrey A. A deep learning-based approach to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury using audio classification. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274395. [PMID: 36170287 PMCID: PMC9518857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI or concussion) is receiving increased attention due to the incidence in contact sports and limitations with subjective (pen and paper) diagnostic approaches. If an mTBI is undiagnosed and the athlete prematurely returns to play, it can result in serious short-term and/or long-term health complications. This demonstrates the importance of providing more reliable mTBI diagnostic tools to mitigate misdiagnosis. Accordingly, there is a need to develop reliable and efficient objective approaches with computationally robust diagnostic methods. Here in this pilot study, we propose the extraction of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) features from audio recordings of speech that were collected from athletes engaging in rugby union who were diagnosed with an mTBI or not. These features were trained on our novel particle swarm optimised (PSO) bidirectional long short-term memory attention (Bi-LSTM-A) deep learning model. Little-to-no overfitting occurred during the training process, indicating strong reliability of the approach regarding the current test dataset classification results and future test data. Sensitivity and specificity to distinguish those with an mTBI were 94.7% and 86.2%, respectively, with an AUROC score of 0.904. This indicates a strong potential for the deep learning approach, with future improvements in classification results relying on more participant data and further innovations to the Bi-LSTM-A model to fully establish this approach as a pragmatic mTBI diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Wall
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Dylan Powell
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser Young
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron J. Zynda
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sam Stuart
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Covassin
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alan Godfrey
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Powell D, Godfrey A, Parrington L, Campbell KR, King LA, Stuart S. Free-living gait does not differentiate chronic mTBI patients compared to healthy controls. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2022; 19:49. [PMID: 35619112 PMCID: PMC9137158 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-01030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physical function remains a crucial component of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) assessment and recovery. Traditional approaches to assess mTBI lack sensitivity to detect subtle deficits post-injury, which can impact a patient’s quality of life, daily function and can lead to chronic issues. Inertial measurement units (IMU) provide an opportunity for objective assessment of physical function and can be used in any environment. A single waist worn IMU has the potential to provide broad/macro quantity characteristics to estimate gait mobility, as well as more high-resolution micro spatial or temporal gait characteristics (herein, we refer to these as measures of quality). Our recent work showed that quantity measures of mobility were less sensitive than measures of turning quality when comparing the free-living physical function of chronic mTBI patients and healthy controls. However, no studies have examined whether measures of gait quality in free-living conditions can differentiate chronic mTBI patients and healthy controls. This study aimed to determine whether measures of free-living gait quality can differentiate chronic mTBI patients from controls. Methods Thirty-two patients with chronic self-reported balance symptoms after mTBI (age: 40.88 ± 11.78 years, median days post-injury: 440.68 days) and 23 healthy controls (age: 48.56 ± 22.56 years) were assessed for ~ 7 days using a single IMU at the waist on a belt. Free-living gait quality metrics were evaluated for chronic mTBI patients and controls using multi-variate analysis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis were used to determine outcome sensitivity to chronic mTBI. Results Free-living gait quality metrics were not different between chronic mTBI patients and controls (all p > 0.05) whilst controlling for age and sex. ROC and AUC analysis showed stride length (0.63) was the most sensitive measure for differentiating chronic mTBI patients from controls. Conclusions Our results show that gait quality metrics determined through a free-living assessment were not significantly different between chronic mTBI patients and controls. These results suggest that measures of free-living gait quality were not impaired in our chronic mTBI patients, and/or, that the metrics chosen were not sensitive enough to detect subtle impairments in our sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Powell
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Alan Godfrey
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Lucy Parrington
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Dietetics, Human Nutrition and Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kody R Campbell
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Laurie A King
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sam Stuart
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. .,Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK. .,North Tyneside Hospital, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Shields, UK.
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Powell D, Stuart S, Godfrey A. Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology. NPJ Digit Med 2021; 4:164. [PMID: 34857868 PMCID: PMC8639973 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-021-00538-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the "digital athlete".
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Powell
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Sam Stuart
- Department of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alan Godfrey
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
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Sports medicine: bespoke player management. Digit Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-818914-6.00021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Stuart S, Parrington L, Martini DN, Kreter N, Chesnutt JC, Fino PC, King LA. Analysis of Free-Living Mobility in People with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Healthy Controls: Quality over Quantity. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:139-145. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Stuart
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Lucy Parrington
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Douglas N. Martini
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Nicholas Kreter
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - James C. Chesnutt
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Peter C. Fino
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Laurie A. King
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
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An Evaluation of Heart Rate Variability in Female Youth Soccer Players Following Soccer Heading: A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel) 2019; 7:sports7110229. [PMID: 31689916 PMCID: PMC6915463 DOI: 10.3390/sports7110229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most head impacts in soccer occur from purposeful heading; however, the link between heading and neurological impairment is unknown. Previous work suggests concussion may result in an uncoupling between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system. Accordingly, heart rate variability (HRV) may be a sensitive measure to provide meaningful information regarding repetitive heading in soccer. The purpose of this pilot study assesses the feasibility of measuring HRV to evaluate autonomic function following soccer heading. Sixteen youth female participants underwent heart rate monitoring during a heading and footing condition. Participants completed a five minute resting supine trial at the start and end of each testing session. Standard 450 g soccer balls were projected at 6 m/s towards participants. Participants performed five headers, for the header condition, and five footers for the footer condition. The HRV for resting supine trials, pre- and post-header and footer conditions were assessed for both time and frequency domains. HRV effect sizes were small when comparing conditions, except absolute low frequency (d = 0.61) and standard deviation of the normal-normal (NN) intervals (d = 0.63). Participant retention and adherence were high, without adverse events. Findings suggest HRV is a feasible measure for evaluating the effects of heading on autonomic function.
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9
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Stuart S, Johnston W, Caulfield B, Godfrey A. Focus collection on Modern Approaches for Sports Medicine and Performance. Physiol Meas 2019; 40:090401. [PMID: 31567124 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ab3deb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Stuart
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America. Veterans Affairs Portland Healthcare System, Portland, OR, United States of America
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Munia TTK, Haider A, Schneider C, Romanick M, Fazel-Rezai R. A Novel EEG Based Spectral Analysis of Persistent Brain Function Alteration in Athletes with Concussion History. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17221. [PMID: 29222477 PMCID: PMC5722818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17414-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurocognitive sequelae of a sport-related concussion and its management are poorly defined. Detecting deficits are vital in making a decision about the treatment plan as it can persist one year or more following a brain injury. The reliability of traditional cognitive assessment tools is debatable, and thus attention has turned to assessments based on electroencephalogram (EEG) to evaluate subtle post-concussive alterations. In this study, we calculated neurocognitive deficits combining EEG analysis with three standard post-concussive assessment tools. Data were collected for all testing modalities from 21 adolescent athletes (seven concussive and fourteen healthy) in three different trials. For EEG assessment, along with linear frequency-based features, we introduced a set of time-frequency (Hjorth Parameters) and nonlinear features (approximate entropy and Hurst exponent) for the first time to explore post-concussive deficits. Besides traditional frequency-band analysis, we also presented a new individual frequency-based approach for EEG assessment. While EEG analysis exhibited significant discrepancies between the groups, none of the cognitive assessment resulted in significant deficits. Therefore, the evidence from the study highlights that our proposed EEG analysis and markers are more efficient at deciphering post-concussion residual neurocognitive deficits and thus has a potential clinical utility of proper concussion assessment and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamanna T K Munia
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, USA
| | - Ali Haider
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, USA
| | - Charles Schneider
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, USA
| | - Mark Romanick
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, USA
| | - Reza Fazel-Rezai
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, USA.
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