1
|
Glendon K, Pain MTG, Hogervorst E, Belli A, Blenkinsop G. Musculoskeletal injury or Sports-Related Concussion (SRC) in a season of rugby union does not affect performance on concussion battery testing in university-aged student-athletes. Phys Ther Sport 2024; 65:137-144. [PMID: 38181564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.12.005] [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] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-concussive and concussive impacts sustained during contact sports such as rugby may affect neurocognitive performance, vestibular-ocular-motor function, symptom burden and academic ability. METHOD Student-athletes (n = 146) participating in rugby union British Universities or domestic competitions were assessed on the Immediate Post-Concussion and Cognitive Test, Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, vestibular-oculo-motor screening tool and revised perceived academic impact tool. Individual change from pre-season (July-September 2021) to 2-weeks following last exposure to contact (April-July 2022) was analysed. RESULTS Symptom burden significantly worsened (p=0.016) over the season. Significant improvements on verbal memory (p=0.016), visual memory (p=0.008) and motor processing speed (p=0.001) suggest a possible learning effect. Surprisingly, the number of days lost to concussion significantly and positively affected performance on verbal memory (p = 0.018) and reaction time (p = 0.027). Previous concussive events significantly predicted a worsening in symptom burden (p < 0.028), as did in-season concussive events, predicting improved verbal memory (p = 0.033) and symptom burden change (p = 0.047). Baseline performance significantly affected change on several neurocognitive tests, with low-scorers showing more improvement over the season. CONCLUSION Participation in rugby union was not associated with deleterious effects on brain function. Previous concussive events and in-season factors, possibly related to learning effects, may explain improvement in cognitive function across the season.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Glendon
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
| | - M T G Pain
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - E Hogervorst
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - A Belli
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - G Blenkinsop
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Spanish and English Language-Based Differences in Cognitive Performance and Symptom Reporting on ImPACT Baseline Concussion Assessment. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40817-021-00114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
3
|
Maietta JE, Kuwabara HC, Cross CL, Flood SM, Kinsora TF, Ross SR, Allen DN. Influence of Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders on Cognitive and Symptom Profiles: Considerations for Baseline Sport Concussion Assessment. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 36:1438–1449. [PMID: 33611342 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The presence of neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LD) have demonstrated effects on Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) performance. No current research has directly examined whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has similar effects. The current study compared ImPACT cognitive and symptom profiles in athletes with self-reported ASD to other NDs and healthy controls using case-control matching. METHOD The current study compared ImPACT baselines of high school athletes with ASD to athletes with other NDs (ADHD, LD, and co-occurring ADHD/LD) and healthy controls on cognitive composites and symptom reporting. Participants included 435 athletes (87 controls, 87 with ASD, 87 with ADHD, 87 with LD, and 87 with ADHD/LD) selected from a larger naturalistic sample. Athletes were matched to the ASD group based on age, sex, and sport using randomized case-matched selection from the larger database. RESULTS Results revealed that athletes with ASD performed more poorly than healthy controls on the Visual Motor Speed composite. No differences were found for Post-concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) domain scores. Differences in cognitive and symptom profiles among the athletes with other NDs were also found. CONCLUSIONS Results elucidate patterns of baseline performance for athletes with ASD, demonstrating that there may not be significant differences between ASD and healthy controls on four of the five ImPACT composites, and no symptom reporting differences. Cognitive and symptom differences found for other NDs should be considered when interpreting baseline performance and for making return-to-play decisions in the absence of baseline assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Maietta
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Hana C Kuwabara
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Chad L Cross
- UNLV School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Sarah M Flood
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | | | - Staci R Ross
- Center for Applied Neuroscience, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Daniel N Allen
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Walter AE, Wilkes JR, Arnett PA, Miller SJ, Sebastianelli W, Seidenberg P, Slobounov SM. The accumulation of subconcussive impacts on cognitive, imaging, and biomarker outcomes in child and college-aged athletes: a systematic review. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:503-517. [PMID: 34308510 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Examine the effect of subconcussive impact accumulation on cognitive/functional, imaging, and biomarker outcomes over the course of a single season, specifically in contact sport athletes at collegiate level or younger. Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and using Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence and Newcastle Ottawa Assessment Scale. PubMed MEDLINE, PsycInfo, SPORT-Discus, Web of Science. Original research in English that addressed the influence of subconcussive impacts on outcomes of interest with minimum preseason and postseason measurement in current youth, high school, or college-aged contact sport athletes. 796 articles were initially identified, and 48 articles were included in this review. The studies mostly involved male football athletes in high school or college and demonstrated an underrepresentation of female and youth studies. Additionally, operationalization of previous concussion history and concussion among studies was very inconsistent. Major methodological differences existed across studies, with ImPACT and diffusion tensor imaging being the most commonly used modalities. Biomarker studies generally showed negative effects, cognitive/functional studies mostly revealed no effects, and advanced imaging studies showed generally negative findings over the season; however, there was variability in the findings across all types of studies. This systematic review revealed growing literature on this topic, but inconsistent methodology and operationalization across studies makes it challenging to draw concrete conclusions. Overall, cognitive measures alone do not seem to detect changes across this timeframe while imaging and biomarker measures may be more sensitive to changes following subconcussive impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa E Walter
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - James R Wilkes
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Peter A Arnett
- Department of Psychology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sayers John Miller
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Wayne Sebastianelli
- Deparetment of Orthopaedics, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Peter Seidenberg
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and Family and Community Medicine, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Semyon M Slobounov
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Influence of Special Education, ADHD, Autism, and Learning Disorders on ImPACT Validity Scores in High School Athletes. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2021; 27:461-471. [PMID: 33292913 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617720001149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is commonly used to assist with post-concussion return-to-play decisions for athletes. Additional investigation is needed to determine whether embedded indicators used to determine the validity of scores are influenced by the presence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs). METHOD This study examined standard and novel ImPACT validity indicators in a large sample of high school athletes (n = 33,772) with or without self-reported ND. RESULTS Overall, 7.1% of athletes' baselines were judged invalid based on standard ImPACT validity criteria. When analyzed by group (healthy, ND), there were significantly more invalid ImPACT baselines for athletes with an ND diagnosis or special education history (between 9.7% and 54.3% for standard and novel embedded validity criteria) when compared to athletes without NDs. ND history was a significant predictor of invalid baseline performance above and beyond other demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, and sport), although it accounted for only a small percentage of variance. Multivariate base rates are presented stratified for age, sex, and ND. CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence of higher than normal rates of invalid baselines in athletes who report ND (based on both the standard and novel embedded validity indicators). Although ND accounted for a small percentage of variance in the prediction of invalid performance, negative consequences (e.g., extended time out of sports) of incorrect decision-making should be considered for those with neurodevelopmental conditions. Also, reasons for the overall increase noted here, such as decreased motivation, "sandbagging", or disability-related cognitive deficit, require additional investigation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Effect of subconcussive impacts on functional outcomes over a single collegiate football season. JOURNAL OF CONCUSSION 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/2059700220983165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Context In collision sports, particularly American football, athletes can accumulate thousands of subconcussive impacts, or head acceleration events (HAEs), across a single season; however, the short-term consequences of these impacts are not well understood. Objective To investigate the effects of the accumulation of impacts during practices on cognitive functions over a single football season. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Athletic training room and University laboratory. Participants Twenty-three NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players. Main outcome measures Helmet accelerometers during practices and virtual reality testing (VR; balance, reaction time, spatial memory) before and after the season. Results Preseason had the majority of ≥80 G impacts while during the season had the majority of ≥25 G to <80 G impacts and positional differences showed that linemen had the majority of both types. Virtual reality analysis revealed that scores significantly decreased after the season for spatial navigation ( p < 0.05) but not for balance or reaction time. Significant correlations ( p < 0.05) were found between cognitive measures and player demographic variables. Conclusions Even in the absence of clinical symptoms and concussion diagnosis, repetitive impacts may cause cognitive alterations. Documenting the distribution of impact quantity and intensity as a function of time and position may be considered by coaches and clinicians to reduce the accumulation of impacts in athletes exposed in contact sports.
Collapse
|
7
|
de Souza NL, Dennis EL, Brown AM, Singh S, Wilde EA, Buckman JF, Esopenko C. Relation between Isometric Neck Strength and White Matter Organization in Collegiate Athletes. Neurotrauma Rep 2020; 1:232-240. [PMID: 34223543 PMCID: PMC8240886 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2020.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Soccer athletes frequently experience repetitive head impacts (RHI) during games and practices, which may affect neural integrity over time and lead to altered brain structure. Neck strength is hypothesized to limit the transfer of force to the brain and decrease the effect of RHI on brain structure. The goal of our work was to examine whether greater neck strength is associated with more intact white matter organization (WMO) in collegiate athletes exposed to RHI. Collegiate soccer (n = 17) and limited/non-contact sport (n = 39) athletes were assessed prior to their athletic seasons. Participants completed neck strength assessments using handheld dynamometry in six test positions and diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) were calculated for 20 white matter (WM) regions. A multi-variate approach was used to examine the relationship between neck strength and diffusion measures in soccer and limited/non-contact athletes. Neck strength was positively associated with FA and negatively associated with RD across several WM regions in soccer players only. Neck strength was not significantly associated with MD or AD in either group. Greater neck strength was related to more intact WMO in athletes with high exposure to RHI, particularly in regions prone to damage from brain trauma such as the basal ganglia, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and frontoparietal WM. Future studies should examine neck strength as a factor to moderate neural outcomes in athletes with exposure to RHI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola L de Souza
- School of Graduate Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily L Dennis
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Allison M Brown
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sasha Singh
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Jennifer F Buckman
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Carrie Esopenko
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Eckner JT, Wang J, Nelson LD, Bancroft R, Pohorence M, He X, Broglio SP, Giza CC, Guskiewicz KM, Kutcher JS, McCrea M. Effect of Routine Sport Participation on Short-Term Clinical Neurological Outcomes: A Comparison of Non-Contact, Contact, and Collision Sport Athletes. Sports Med 2019; 50:1027-1038. [PMID: 31637659 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare pre-season to post-season changes on a battery of clinical neurological outcome measures between non-contact, contact, and collision sport athletes over multiple seasons of play. METHODS 244 high school and collegiate athletes participating in multiple non-contact, contact, and collision sports completed standardized annual pre-season and post-season assessments over 1-4 years. Pre/post-season changes in 10 outcome measures assessing concussion symptoms, neurocognitive performance, and balance were compared between the groups using linear mixed models. RESULTS Small, but statistically significant overall pre/post-season change differences were present between the groups for Axon computerized neurocognitive test processing speed, attention, and working memory speed scores (Axon-PS, Axon-Att, Axon-WMS), as well as Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) total score. Small seasonal declines not exceeding reliable-change thresholds were observed in the collision sport group relative to the contact and non-contact groups for Axon-PS and Axon-Att scores. The collision and contact sport groups demonstrated less pre-/post-season improvement than the non-contact sport group for Axon-WMA and BESS, with less BESS improvement also observed in the collision sport group relative to the contact sport group. Overall, longitudinal performance on all 10 outcome measures remained stable in all 3 groups over 4 years. CONCLUSION Our findings do not necessarily support the notion that participation in sports associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts has clinically meaningful cumulative effects over the course of a season, nor over four consecutive seasons in high school and collegiate athletes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James T Eckner
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 325 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Xuming He
- Statistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin M Guskiewicz
- Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Kutcher
- Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.,The Sports Neurology Clinic, Brighton, USA
| | - Michael McCrea
- Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brett BL, Huber DL, Wild A, Nelson LD, McCrea MA. Age of First Exposure to American Football and Behavioral, Cognitive, Psychological, and Physical Outcomes in High School and Collegiate Football Players. Sports Health 2019; 11:332-342. [PMID: 31173699 PMCID: PMC6600580 DOI: 10.1177/1941738119849076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although some studies have observed a relationship between age of first exposure (AFE) to American football and long-term outcomes, recent findings in collegiate athletes did not observe a relationship between AFE and more intermediate outcomes at early adulthood. This, however, requires independent replication. HYPOTHESIS There will be no association between AFE to football and behavioral, cognitive, emotional/psychological, and physical functioning in high school and collegiate athletes. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. METHODS Active high school and collegiate football players (N = 1802) underwent a comprehensive preseason evaluation on several clinical outcome measures. Demographic and health variables that significantly differed across AFE groups were identified as potential covariates. General linear models (GLMs) with AFE as the independent variable were performed for each clinical outcome variable. Similar GLMs that included identified covariates, with AFE as the predictor, were subsequently performed for each clinical outcome variable. RESULTS After controlling for covariates of age, concussion history, race, and a diagnosis of ADHD, earlier AFE (<12 vs ≥12 years) did not significantly predict poorer performance on any clinical outcome measures (all P > 0.05). A single statistically significant association between AFE group and somatization score was recorded, with AFE <12 years exhibiting lower levels of somatization. CONCLUSION In a large cohort of active high school and collegiate football student-athletes, AFE before the age of 12 years was not associated with worse behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and physical (oculomotor functioning and postural stability) outcomes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The current findings suggest that timing of onset of football exposure does not result in poorer functioning in adolescence and young adults and may contribute to resilience through decreased levels of physically related psychological distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Brett
- Department of Neurology, Medical College
of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical
College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel L. Huber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical
College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Alexa Wild
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical
College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Lindsay D. Nelson
- Department of Neurology, Medical College
of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical
College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Michael A. McCrea
- Department of Neurology, Medical College
of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical
College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
My objectives are to review: 1) a brief history of sport-related concussion (SRC) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), 2) the evolution of CTE in American professional football, 3) the data regarding SRC/CTE as they relate to depression and suicide, 4) the data on the neurocognitive effects of subconcussion/repetitive head trauma (with emphases on heading the ball in soccer and early exposure to football), 5) the evidence related to SRC and neurodegenerative diseases, 6) the published studies of CTE, 7) the NINDS neuropathological criteria for CTE, 8) public beliefs about SRC/CTE, and 9) the scientific questions regarding CTE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Solomon
- a Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee , USA
| |
Collapse
|