1
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Kakavas G, Giannakopoulos I, Tsiokanos A, Potoupnis M, Tsaklis PV. The Effect of Ball Heading and Subclinical Concussion On the Neuromuscular Control Of The Lower Limb: A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2023; 18:1054-1064. [PMID: 37795323 PMCID: PMC10547093 DOI: 10.26603/001c.87922] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Soccer is unique among sports because it is the only sport that involves purposeful use of the head to control, pass, or shoot the ball. Over the previous five years, a relationship between lower extremity (LE) injury and sports related concussion (SRC) has been established in various sporting populations. Athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels have demonstrated a greater risk for sustaining a LE injury post SRC. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the relationship of the SRC with the incidence of LE injuries. Methods Ten databases were searched with the following keywords: Lower limb, ball heading, neuromuscular control, concussion, MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily, and Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, and Scopus. The search was limited to English-language and peer-reviewed publications, until 15/12/2022. The PEDro scale was used for the assessment of the risk of bias among the included studies. All included papers were qualitatively analyzed. Results A total of 834 studies were identified and 10 articles (four concussion-MSK biomechanics, six concussion-MSK injury) were included in the qualitative analyses. Included papers ranged from low to high quality. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the included study designs, quantitative meta-analysis was unable to be performed. All four of the included concussion-MSK biomechanics studies demonstrated, to some degree, that worse cognitive performance was associated with lower extremity MSK biomechanical patterns suggestive of greater risk for MSK injury. Among the six injury related studies, two investigations failed to determine group differences in cognitive performance between subsequently injured and non-injured athletes. Conclusion More research is needed to better understand the relationship of SRC and lower extremity injuries and the extent to which they are related to concussions and/or repetitive neurotrauma after ball heading sustained in soccer. Level of Evidence 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Kakavas
- Fysiotek Spine and Sports Lab Athens, Greece
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, ErgoMech- Lab, Greece
| | - Ioannis Giannakopoulos
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, ErgoMech- Lab, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsiokanos
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, ErgoMech- Lab, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis V Tsaklis
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, ErgoMech- Lab, Greece
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Growth and Metabolism, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
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2
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Segars MF, Filben TM, Pritchard NS, Miller LE, Miles CM, Stitzel JD, Urban JE. Head Impact Exposure in Female Collegiate Soccer by Activity Type. J Appl Biomech 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37210079 DOI: 10.1123/jab.2022-0134] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Soccer, one of the most popular sports in the world, has one of the highest rates of sports-related concussions. Additionally, soccer players are frequently exposed to nonconcussive impacts from intentionally heading the ball, a fundamental component of the sport. There have been many studies on head impact exposure in soccer, but few focus on soccer practices or practice activities. This study aimed to characterize the frequency and magnitude of head impacts in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female soccer practice activities using a custom-fit instrumented mouthpiece. Sixteen players were instrumented over the course of 54 practice sessions. Video analysis was performed to verify all mouthpiece-recorded events and classify practice activities. Category groupings of practice activities include technical training, team interaction, set pieces, position-specific, and other. Differences in head impact rates and peak resultant kinematics were observed across activity types and category groupings. Technical training had the highest impact rate compared to other category groupings. Impacts occurring during set piece activities had the highest mean kinematic values. Understanding drill exposure can help inform coaches on training plans aimed to reduce head impact exposure for their athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Frances Segars
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - Tanner M Filben
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - N Stewart Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - Logan E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - Christopher M Miles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - Joel D Stitzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
| | - Jillian E Urban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC,USA
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3
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Shamloo F, Kon M, Ritter E, Sereno AB. Quantifying the Magnitude and Longevity of the Effect of Repetitive Head Impacts in Adolescent Soccer Players: Deleterious Effect of Long Headers Extend Beyond a Month. Neurotrauma Rep 2023; 4:267-275. [PMID: 37095854 PMCID: PMC10122256 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2022.0085] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the effects of sports-related repetitive head impacts (RHIs) on athletes' cognitive capabilities. This study examines the effect of RHIs in data collected from adolescent athletes to estimate the magnitude and longevity of RHIs on sensorimotor and cognitive performance. A non-linear regression model estimated the longevity of RHI effects by adding a half-life parameter embedded in an exponential decay function. A model estimate of this parameter allows the possibility of RHI effects to attenuate over time and introduces a mechanism to study the cumulative effect of RHIs. The posterior distribution of the half-life parameter associated with short-distance headers (<30 m) is centered around 6 days, whereas the posterior distribution of the half-life parameter associated with long-distance headers extends beyond a month. Additionally, the magnitude of the effect of each short header is around 3 times smaller than that of a long header. The results indicate that, on both tasks, response time (RT) changes after long headers are bigger in magnitude and last longer compared to the effects of short headers. Most important, we demonstrate that deleterious effects of long headers extend beyond 1 month. Although estimates are based on data from a relatively short-duration study with a relatively small sample size, the proposed model provides a mechanism to estimate long-term behavioral slowing from RHIs, which may be helpful to reduce the risk of additional injury. Finally, differences in the longevity of the effects of short and long RHIs may help to explain the large variance found between biomechanical input and clinical outcome in studies of concussion tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzin Shamloo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Maria Kon
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
- Address correspondence to: Maria Kon, PhD, Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 3rd Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Ritter
- University of North Carolina Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anne B. Sereno
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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4
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Waring KM, Smith ER, Austin GP, Bowman TG. Exploring the Effects of a Neck Strengthening Program on Purposeful Soccer Heading Biomechanics and Neurocognition. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2022; 17:1043-1052. [PMID: 36237655 PMCID: PMC9528716 DOI: 10.26603/001c.38327] [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: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical (neck) strengthening has been proposed as an important factor in concussion prevention. The purpose of the study was to determine if a six-week cervical strengthening program affected neurocognition and purposeful soccer heading biomechanics. The hypothesis was that the neck strengthening program would improve strength, maintain neurocognition, and alter purposeful soccer heading biomechanics. Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods Twenty collegiate soccer athletes (8 males, 12 females, age=20.15±1.35 years, height=171.67±9.01 cm, mass=70.56±11.03 kg) volunteered to participate. Time (pre, post) and group (experimental, control) served as the independent variables. Four composite scores from the CNS Vital Signs computer based neurocognitive test (CNSVS; verbal memory, visual memory, executive function, reaction time) and aspects of heading biomechanics from inertial measurement units (xPatch; peak linear acceleration, peak rotational acceleration, duration, Gadd Severity Index [GSI]) served as the dependent variables. Each athlete completed a baseline measure of neck strength (anterior neck flexors, bilateral anterolateral neck flexors, bilateral cervical rotators) and CNSVS after heading 10 soccer balls at two speeds (11.18 and 17.88 m/s) while wearing the xPatch. The experimental group completed specific cervical neck strengthening exercises twice a week for six weeks using a Shingo Imara™ cervical neck resistance apparatus while the control group did not. After six weeks, the participants completed the same heading protocol followed by measurement of the same outcome variables. The alpha value was set to p<0.05 a priori. Results The interaction between time and group was significant for visual memory (F1,17=5.16, p=0.04, η2=0.23). Interestingly, post hoc results revealed visual memory decreased for the control group from pretest (46.90±4.46) compared to posttest (43.00±4.03; mean difference=3.90, 95% CI=0.77-7.03, p=0.02). Interactions for all other dependent variables were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions The cervical neck strengthening protocol allowed maintenance of visual memory scores but did not alter other neurocognitive measures or heading biomechanics. The link between cervical neck strengthening and concussion predisposition should continue to be explored. Level of Evidence Level 1b.
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5
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Wilson A, Stevens WD, Sergio L, Wojtowicz M. Altered Brain Functional Connectivity in Female Athletes Over the Course of a Season of Collision or Contact Sports. Neurotrauma Rep 2022; 3:377-387. [PMID: 36204391 PMCID: PMC9531888 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2022.0010] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
University athletes are exposed to numerous impacts to the body and head, though the potential cumulative effects of such hits remain elusive. This study examined resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of brain networks in female varsity athletes over the course of a season. Nineteen female university athletes involved in collision (N = 12) and contact (N = 7) sports underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at both pre- and post-season. A group-level independent component analysis (ICA) was used to investigate differences in rsFC over the course of a season and differences between contact and collision sport athletes. Decreased rsFC was observed over the course of the season between the default mode network (DMN) and regions in the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobe (p false discovery rate, ≤0.05) driven by differences in the contact group. There was also a main effect of group in the dorsal attention network (DAN) driven by differences between contact and collision groups at pre-season. Differences identified over the course of a season of play indicate largely decreased rsFC within the DMN, and level of contact was associated with differences in rsFC of the DAN. The association between exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHIs) and observed changes in network rsFC supplements the growing literature suggesting that even non-concussed athletes may be at risk for changes in brain functioning. However, the complexity of examining the direct effects of RHIs highlights the need to consider multiple factors, including mental health and sport-specific training and expertise, that may potentially be associated with neural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssia Wilson
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - W. Dale Stevens
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Sergio
- School of Kinesiology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Ashton J, Coyles G, Malone JJ, Roberts JW. Immediate effects of an acute bout of repeated soccer heading on cognitive performance. SCI MED FOOTBALL 2022; 5:181-187. [PMID: 35077295 DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2020.1846769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: There isgrowing concern surrounding the harmful effects of soccer heading on cognitive function. The present study aims to examine the immediate effects of heading.Methods: 30 recreational male soccer players were divided into three groups that undertook 20 consecutive headers with a soft (8.8 psi), hard (16.2 psi), or no (control) ball. A battery of neuropsychological tests was completed before and after heading: King-Devick, trail-making (TM) (A, B), digit span (DS) and spatial span (SS) (forward, backward).Results: Significant increase in the time (M = 4.44 s) and errors (M = 1.45) for the King-Devick test within the hard and soft groups, although there was no significant difference for TM-A and TM-B. Significant decline for SS forward within the hard and soft groups (M= -16%), although the declines for SS backward (M = -16%), DS forward (M= -23%) and DS backward (M = -25%) were present only for the hard group (ps <.05).Discussion: While outside of regular match-play, this study showed that heading negatively influenced one indicator of a suspected concussion (King-Devick), as well as working memory (DS, SS) that is essential for daily life. These findings contribute to the growing debate surrounding heading safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Ashton
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, UK, L16 9JD
| | - Ginny Coyles
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, UK, L16 9JD
| | - James J Malone
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, UK, L16 9JD
| | - James W Roberts
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, UK, L16 9JD
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7
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Kakavas G, Malliaropoulos N, Blach W, Bikos G, Migliorini F, Maffulli N. Ball heading and subclinical concussion in soccer as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injury. J Orthop Surg Res 2021; 16:566. [PMID: 34538251 PMCID: PMC8451147 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02711-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Soccer players have a high risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, a potentially career-ending event. ACL rupture has been linked with abnormal neuromuscular control in the lower limb. Additionally, heading the ball with the unprotected head during game play is increasingly recognized as a major source of exposure to concussive and sub-concussive repetitive head impacts. This article provides a hypothesis of potential connection of ACL injury with ball heading in soccer players. The study reviews literature sources regarding the impact of neurocognitive alterations after ball headings in ACL injuries. Poor baseline neurocognitive performance or impairments in neurocognitive performance via sleep deprivation, psychological stress, or concussion can increase the risk for subsequent musculoskeletal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaos Malliaropoulos
- Thessaloniki Sports Medicine Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Ports Clinic, Rheumatology Department, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.,Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
| | - Wieslaw Blach
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University School of Physical Education, Paderewskiego 35, 51-612, Wroclaw, Poland.,European Judo Union, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georgios Bikos
- Euromedica-Arogi Rehabilitation Clinic, Pylaia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Filippo Migliorini
- Department of Orthopedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 31, 52064, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Nicola Maffulli
- Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK.,London Sports Care, BMI London Independent Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke on Trent, UK
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8
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Koerte IK, Bahr R, Filipcik P, Gooijers J, Leemans A, Lin AP, Tripodis Y, Shenton ME, Sochen N, Swinnen SP, Pasternak O. REPIMPACT - a prospective longitudinal multisite study on the effects of repetitive head impacts in youth soccer. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:492-502. [PMID: 34505977 PMCID: PMC8825640 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00484-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive head impacts (RHI) are common in youth athletes participating in contact sports. RHI differ from concussions; they are considered hits to the head that usually do not result in acute symptoms and are therefore also referred to as “subconcussive” head impacts. RHI occur e.g., when heading the ball or during contact with another player. Evidence suggests that exposure to RHI may have cumulative effects on brain structure and function. However, little is known about brain alterations associated with RHI, or about the risk factors that may lead to clinical or behavioral sequelae. REPIMPACT is a prospective longitudinal study of competitive youth soccer players and non-contact sport controls aged 14 to 16 years. The study aims to characterize consequences of exposure to RHI with regard to behavior (i.e., cognition, and motor function), clinical sequelae (i.e., psychiatric and neurological symptoms), brain structure, function, diffusion and biochemistry, as well as blood- and saliva-derived measures of molecular processes associated with exposure to RHI (e.g., circulating microRNAs, neuroproteins and cytokines). Here we present the structure of the REPIMPACT Consortium which consists of six teams of clinicians and scientists in six countries. We further provide detailed information on the specific aims and the design of the REPIMPACT study. The manuscript also describes the progress made in the study thus far. Finally, we discuss important challenges and approaches taken to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga K Koerte
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Goup Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Leemans
- PROVIDI Lab, Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Boston University CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nir Sochen
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Goup Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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McCunn R, Beaudouin F, Stewart K, Meyer T, MacLean J. Heading in Football: Incidence, Biomechanical Characteristics and the Association with Acute Cognitive Function-A Three-Part Systematic Review. Sports Med 2021; 51:2147-2163. [PMID: 34129222 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01492-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing concern surrounding the role of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts, such as football heading, on brain health. OBJECTIVES Three questions were addressed while only considering studies that observed heading exposure directly: (1) how frequently does heading occur within football training and matches, (2) what are the biomechanical characteristics of heading, and (3) is cognitive function affected by heading? METHODS This review followed the steps described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases including MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus were searched from the earliest entry to July 2020. Studies that reported independently quantified heading exposure, biomechanical characteristics of heading or the relationship between heading and cognitive function were included. Data were extracted and used to populate summary tables with reference to each research question. RESULTS Heading incidence ranged between one to nine headers per player per match. The number of headers observed in small-sided games during training varied depending on the exact format used but generally speaking ranged between zero to one per player per game. The three most commonly reported biomechanical variables were head acceleration, head rotational velocity and overall movement kinematics during the heading action. Average head acceleration ranged from approximately four to 50 g. Nine out of 12 included studies did not observe a negative impact on cognitive test performance following exposure to heading and while three did, these negative effects were limited to specific outcome measures: reaction time and memory function. CONCLUSION The current weight of evidence summarised herein does not support the notion that heading is deleterious to cognitive performance in the short term; however, this conclusion is tentative due to methodological shortcomings in the existing evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert McCunn
- Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Tynecastle Park , Edinburgh, EH11 2NL, UK.
| | - Florian Beaudouin
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Katy Stewart
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Hampden Sports Clinic, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tim Meyer
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - John MacLean
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Hampden Sports Clinic, Glasgow, UK
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10
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Balagopal R, Won M, Patel SS, Chuang AZ, Sereno AB. Heading-Related Slowing by Twenty-Four Hours in Youth Athletes. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:2664-2673. [PMID: 32799741 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Research suggests cumulative effects of repetitive head impacts (RHIs) on brain structure, especially with younger age of first exposure. Further, recent evidence suggests no immediate cognitive changes with increased RHIs but impairments across a sports season. The aim was to examine more closely the short-term time course of behavioral effects of exposure to RHI. Across 2 years, 18 female adolescent soccer players were tested on ProPoint (sensorimotor) and AntiPoint (cognitive) tasks with reaction time (RT) being the main outcome measure. The athletes were tested before and after workout with ball heading (immediate effect), as well as 24 h after workout (24 h effect) throughout two consecutive seasons. The number of headers performed 24 h before workout, during workout, and season average per workout were recorded. The athletes showed a decrease in ProPoint and AntiPoint RTs immediately after a workout, with no change or decrease in RTs with increasing RHIs. However, increasing RHIs during workout increased RTs in both tasks when tested 24 h later. The athletes also showed an increase in AntiPoint RTs with increasing season average RHIs. Our findings show a complex time course of effects of RHIs on sensorimotor and cognitive performance in adolescent athletes, with exposure to RHIs associated with no change or immediate benefits and then deficits by 24 h. Pathophysiological changes associated with exercise and traumatic brain injury can account for the sensorimotor and cognitive performance changes occurring within 24 h after RHIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Balagopal
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Michelle Won
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Saumil S Patel
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alice Z Chuang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anne B Sereno
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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11
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Sandmo SB, Gooijers J, Seer C, Kaufmann D, Bahr R, Pasternak O, Lipton ML, Tripodis Y, Koerte IK. Evaluating the validity of self-report as a method for quantifying heading exposure in male youth soccer. Res Sports Med 2020; 29:427-439. [PMID: 33283535 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2020.1853541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Assessing heading exposure in football is important when exploring the association between heading and brain alterations. To this end, questionnaires have been developed for use in adult populations. However, the validity of self-report in adolescents remains to be elucidated. Male youth soccer players (n = 34) completed a questionnaire on heading exposure after a two-week period, which included matches and training sessions. Self-reported numbers were compared to observation (considered reference). In total, we observed 157 training sessions and 64 matches. Self-reported heading exposure correlated with observed heading exposure (Spearman's rho 0.68; p < 0.001). Players systematically overestimated their heading exposure by a factor of 3 with the random error of 46%. Area under the curve was 0.87 (95% CI 0.67-1) utilizing self-report for identifying players from high- and low-exposure groups. Thus, in this study, self-reported data could be used to group youth players into high and low heading exposure groups, but not to quantify individual heading exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stian B Sandmo
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,LBI - KU Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Seer
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,LBI - KU Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Kaufmann
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inga K Koerte
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Lee T, Lycke R, Auger J, Music J, Dziekan M, Newman S, Talavage T, Leverenz L, Nauman E. Head acceleration event metrics in youth contact sports more dependent on sport than level of play. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2020; 235:208-221. [PMID: 33183139 DOI: 10.1177/0954411920970812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The goal of the study was to evaluate how repetitive head traumas sustained by athletes in contact sports depend on sport and level of play. A total of 16 middle school football players, 107 high school football players, and 65 high school female soccer players participated. Players were separated into levels of play: middle school (MS), freshman (FR), junior varsity (JV), junior varsity-varsity (JV-V), and varsity (V). xPatch sensors were used to measure peak translational and angular accelerations (PTA and PAA, respectively) for each head acceleration event (HAE) during practice and game sessions. Data were analyzed using a custom MATLAB program to compare metrics that have been correlated with functional neurological changes: session metrics (median HAEs per contact session), season metrics (total HAEs, cumulative PTA/PAA), and regressions (cumulative PTA/PAA versus total HAEs, total HAEs versus median HAEs per contact session). Football players had greater session (p<.001) and season (p<.001) metrics than soccer players, but soccer players had a significantly greater player average PAA per HAE than football players (p<.001). Middle school football players had similar session and season metrics to high school level athletes. In conclusion, sport has a greater influence on HAE characteristics than level of play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Lee
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Roy Lycke
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Joshua Auger
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jacob Music
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Michael Dziekan
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sharlene Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Thomas Talavage
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Larry Leverenz
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Eric Nauman
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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13
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Structure, Intensity and Player Duels in Under-13 Football Training in Switzerland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228351. [PMID: 33187381 PMCID: PMC7696662 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the structure (i.e., the different training parts), contents (i.e., the various activities used), intensity and occurrence of contact situations and headers during training sessions in under-13 football in Switzerland. A total of 242 players from 20 different teams on average aged 11.4 (SD 0.7) years participated. The participants were filmed during a typical training session while they were equipped with a heart rate sensor. The sessions were systematically recorded to allow for detailed analyses. Furthermore, a preliminary and explorative analysis of the influence of the level of play on these results was conducted. The overall findings indicated that training included 33.4% playing forms, 29.5% training forms, 28.4% inactivity time and 8.7% athletics. The highest heart rates were achieved in the playing forms (166 min−1, 83% HRmax) compared to the other two activities (training forms 154 min−1, 77% HRmax; athletics 150 min−1, 75% HRmax). Each player had 12.8 duels and 0.6 headers per training. Overall, most duels were conducted from the anterior direction. Playing forms induce higher cardio-circulatory load as well as a better learning environment. Potentially dangerous situations like contact with other players or headers occurred in a single player on average every six min during a training session.
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14
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Snowden T, Reid H, Kennedy S, Kenny R, McQuarrie A, Stuart-Hill L, Garcia-Barrera MA, Gawryluk J, Christie BR. Heading in the Right Direction: A Critical Review of Studies Examining the Effects of Heading in Soccer Players. J Neurotrauma 2020; 38:169-188. [PMID: 32883162 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The practice of heading in soccer has become a public concern because of the potential for subconcussive impacts to cause cumulative concussive-like effects; however, experimental evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. This systematic review used pre-defined search parameters to assess primary literature that examined changes in cognitive, behavioral, structural, and/or biological processes after acute heading exposure in youth and young adult soccer players. The findings were synthesized into a concise and comprehensive summary of the research following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) format, and suggestions for standardization of acute heading protocols are described. A total of 1189 articles were considered for this review, with 19 articles meeting all of the inclusion criteria for full analysis. An attempt was made to identify methods with significant sensitivity and reliability by grouping studies based on their outcome measures. Because of lack of standardization across intervention types and data collection protocols, no sensitive and reliable methods could be identified conclusively to assess the effects of acute heading exposure in soccer players. Based on this review, there is not enough evidence to either support or refute the potential of effects of subconcussive events from acute soccer heading exposure. Recommendations for standardization of acute heading exposure studies based on the included literature are discussed. Standardization is required to better understand the impact of acute heading exposure in soccer players, while allowing for the development of guidelines that mitigate any potential risks and allowing athletes to remain active and develop their skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Snowden
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hannah Reid
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samantha Kennedy
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca Kenny
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda McQuarrie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lynneth Stuart-Hill
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, and University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Jodie Gawryluk
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, and University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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15
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Cecchi NJ, Monroe DC, Moscoso WX, Hicks JW, Reinkensmeyer DJ. Effects of soccer ball inflation pressure and velocity on peak linear and rotational accelerations of ball-to-head impacts. SPORTS ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12283-020-00331-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Beaudouin F, Gioftsidou A, Larsen MN, Lemmink K, Drust B, Modena R, Espinola JR, Meiu M, Vouillamoz M, Meyer T. The UEFA Heading Study: Heading incidence in children's and youth' football (soccer) in eight European countries. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2020; 30:1506-1517. [PMID: 32335945 DOI: 10.1111/sms.13694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
To assess the real-life magnitude of the heading incidence in children's and youth' football in eight European countries with different "football cultures," a cross-sectional observational design, in which one match per team in 480 different teams from eight European countries (2017/18-2018/19), was recorded by video. One training session was recorded in 312 teams. Clubs with Under-10, Under-12 (female/male/mixed), and Under-16 female and male teams were eligible to participate. Heading frequencies and types were analyzed. Results are presented as headers per match/training and per team. Incidence rates (IR) per 1000 match/training hours were calculated. Under-10 teams carried out the lowest average number of headers per match (8.8), followed by Under-16 female (17.7), Under-12 (18.4), and Under-16 male (35.5). Total number of headers per match and team varied between countries. 80% of the total number of headers were single intentional headers, 12% heading duels, 3% unintentional headers by getting hit, and 5% others (trends apparent in all age groups). Three head injuries occurred during match play corresponding to an IR of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.23-2.16). The lowest number of headers per training and team was found in Under-10 (21.3), followed by Under-16 females (34.1), Under-12 (35.8), and Under-16 males (45.0). In conclusion, this large-scale study presents novel data about the number and type of headers in youth' football throughout Europe. A more precise understanding of the heading incidence, specifically in young players, is mandatory for the debate of restrictions on heading in youth football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Beaudouin
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Asimenia Gioftsidou
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
| | - Malte Nejst Larsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Koen Lemmink
- Center of Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Barry Drust
- Sport and Exercise Sciences, John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Roberto Modena
- CeRiSM Research Center Sport Mountain and Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Mihai Meiu
- Romanian Football Federation, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marc Vouillamoz
- Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA), Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Tim Meyer
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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17
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Saunders TD, Le RK, Breedlove KM, Bradney DA, Bowman TG. Sex differences in mechanisms of head impacts in collegiate soccer athletes. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2020; 74:14-20. [PMID: 32097766 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been growing interest in head impacts related to sports participation due to potential long- and short-term consequences of head injuries. Our purpose was to compare head impact magnitude and frequency between men's and women's intercollegiate soccer players based on head impact mechanism. METHODS 28 collegiate soccer players (16 women: age = 19.94 (1.06) years, height = 163.75 (5.15) cm, mass = 61.21 (5.09) kg; 12 men: age = 20.25 (1.14) years, height = 180.34 (6.03) cm, mass = 74.09 (9.32) kg) wore xPatch (X2 Biosystems, Seattle, WA) head impact sensors. Each practice and game was video recorded in order to confirm head impacts. The independent variable was impact mechanism (head to head, head to body (other than head), head to ground, ball to head, goal to head, and combination). Sensors collected linear and rotational accelerations and frequency of head impacts per 1000 athlete exposures. FINDINGS Men were more likely to sustain head impacts than women (IRR = 1.74, CI95 = 1.59-1.92). The highest head impact incidence rate for men was head to body (IR = 611.68, CI95 = 553.11-670.25) while the highest impact incidence rate for women was ball to head (IR = 302.29, CI95 = 270.93-333.64). The interaction between sex and mechanism was significant for rotational accelerations (F4, 1720 = 3.757, P = .005, ω2 = 0.013) but not for linear accelerations (F4,1720 = 0.680, P = .606, ω2 < 0.001, 1 - β = 0.223). INTERPRETATION To reduce the frequency of head impacts in men, perhaps rules governing player to player contact should be more strictly enforced as these data confirm frequent player-to-head contact during soccer practices and games. Prevention efforts for women should be focused on limiting the amount of purposeful heading (planned contact between the head and ball) occurring during play especially since these impacts had higher magnitudes compared to men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel K Le
- Department of Athletic Training, University of Lynchburg, USA
| | - Katherine M Breedlove
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA; Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | - Thomas G Bowman
- Department of Athletic Training, University of Lynchburg, USA.
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18
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Kenny RA, Mayo CD, Kennedy S, Varga AA, Stuart-Hill L, Garcia-Barrera MA, McQuarrie A, Christie BR, Gawryluk JR. A pilot study of diffusion tensor imaging metrics and cognitive performance pre and post repetitive, intentional sub-concussive heading in soccer practice. JOURNAL OF CONCUSSION 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/2059700219885503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although soccer players routinely head the ball in practice and games, recent research has suggested that cumulative effects of repetitive heading may cause sub-concussive injury with accompanying effects on brain and behavior. The current study aimed to prospectively investigate the effects of repetitive, intentional heading in soccer practice on brain structure and cognitive function, using a within-subjects design. Methods Participants included 10 soccer players (mean age 20.09 years ± 2.88) who were examined immediately pre- and post-heading practice. An accelerometer was used to measure the force of the impact during soccer heading. Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired on a 3 T GE Scanner with diffusion tensor imaging. Diffusion tensor imaging analyses were completed using functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain software library’s Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to examine changes in both fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity due to heading the soccer ball. Behavioral measures were also completed pre- and post-soccer heading and included the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and three short-computerized executive function tasks; R studio was used to compare behavioral data within subjects. Results Accelerometer data revealed that none of the heading impacts were >10 g. At this level of impact, there were no significant pre–post heading differences in either fractional anisotropy or mean diffusivity. Additionally, aside from minimal practice effects, there were no significant differences in Sport Concussion Assessment Tool scores and no significant differences in the performance of the three executive function tasks pre–post heading. Conclusions The results provide initial evidence that repetitive heading in soccer practice, at a g force of 10, does not cause changes in brain structure or executive function. Future research should investigate heading in the context of games and with a greater sample size that would allow for sex-based comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Kenny
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Chantel D Mayo
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Samantha Kennedy
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Aaron A Varga
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Lynneth Stuart-Hill
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Amanda McQuarrie
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Brian R Christie
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jodie R Gawryluk
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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19
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Sandmo SB, Andersen TE, Koerte IK, Bahr R. Head impact exposure in youth football-Are current interventions hitting the target? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2019; 30:193-198. [PMID: 31584703 PMCID: PMC6916205 DOI: 10.1111/sms.13562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Restrictions on heading in youth football have been implemented in some countries to limit head impact exposure. However, current interventions remain poorly guided by evidence. Our objective was to quantify heading exposure in youth football, assessing the effects of sex and age. Football matches played during an international youth football tournament with no heading restrictions were directly observed, including players from both sexes (11-19 years). The elite senior level was included for comparison, using video analysis. All heading events were registered, classified, and assigned to individual players. Heading rates were calculated for each sex and age group. We observed a total of 267 matches, corresponding to 4011 player hours (1927 player hours for females, 2083 player hours for males). Males headed more frequently than females (2.7 vs 1.8 headers/player hour; P < .001). Heading rates increased with age (ANOVA, P < .001), approaching the elite senior level for players 16 years and older. There was substantial variation within teams for all age and sex groups, with the widest range (1-18 headers) observed for girls aged 19. Girls younger than 12 years had the lowest exposure, with an average of <2 players per team heading the ball, each with 1-2 headers. In conclusion, age and sex influence head impact exposure in youth football, and warrants careful consideration when introducing injury prevention measures. Males are more frequently exposed than females, heading rates increase with age, and there is substantial variation between players. Heading is a rare event in the youngest age groups, especially among females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stian Bahr Sandmo
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Einar Andersen
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inga Katharina Koerte
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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20
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Wallace SE, Donoso Brown EV, Schreiber JB, Diehl S, Kinney J, Zangara L. Touchscreen tablet-based cognitive assessment versus paper-based assessments for traumatic brain injury. NeuroRehabilitation 2019; 45:25-36. [DOI: 10.3233/nre-192725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Wallace
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah Diehl
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Lani Zangara
- Pediatric Therapy Specialists, Inc., Avonworth School District, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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21
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Zuckerman SL, Brett BL, Jeckell A, Yengo-Kahn AM, Solomon GS. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Neurodegeneration in Contact Sports and American Football. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 66:37-55. [PMID: 30223396 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein in the depths of one or more cortical sulci. Controversy over the risk of CTE and neurologic disorders later in life among contact sport athletes has taken hold in the public spotlight, most notably in American football. Players, parents, coaches, and legislators have taken action based on the commonly held notion that contact sports invariably lead to neurodegenerative disorders. However, to fully understand the science behind this assumed association, a critical appraisal of the evidence is warranted. With regards to CTE in sports, the objectives of the current report are to: 1) describe the history of CTE, 2) review current CTE definitions, 3) critically evaluate the empiric data, divided into all contact sports and exclusively American football, and 4) summarize notable themes for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Zuckerman
- Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Benjamin L Brett
- Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Aaron Jeckell
- Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Aaron M Yengo-Kahn
- Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gary S Solomon
- Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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22
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Sayre HD, Bradney DA, Breedlove KM, Bowman TG. Concussive Head Impact Biomechanics in Women's Lacrosse and Soccer Athletes: A Case Series. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.3928/19425864-20190228-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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23
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Harriss A, Johnson AM, Walton DM, Dickey JP. Head impact magnitudes that occur from purposeful soccer heading depend on the game scenario and head impact location. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2019; 40:53-57. [PMID: 30708266 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study quantified the linear and angular kinematics that result from purposeful heading during youth soccer games, and the influence of game scenario and head impact location on these magnitudes. METHOD This observational study recruited thirty-six female soccer players (13.4 ± 0.9 years old) from three elite youth soccer teams (U13, U14, U15) and followed for an entire soccer season. Players wore wireless sensors during each game to quantify head impact magnitudes. A total of 60 regular season games (20 games per team) were video recorded, and purposeful heading events were categorized by game scenario (e.g. throw in), and head impact location (e.g. front of head). RESULTS Game scenario had a statistically significant effect on the linear head acceleration, and rotational head velocity, that resulted from purposeful headers. Rotational velocity from purposeful headers varied significantly between head impact locations, with impacts to the top of the head (improper technique) resulting in larger peak rotational velocities than impacts to the front of the head (proper technique); this was also the case for the linear acceleration for punts. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the magnitude for both linear and angular head impact kinematics depend on the game scenario and head impact location. Headers performed with the top of the head (improper technique) result in larger rotational velocities compared to the front of the head (proper technique). Accordingly, youth players should be educated on how to execute proper heading technique to reduce head impact accelerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Harriss
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew M Johnson
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David M Walton
- School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - James P Dickey
- School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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24
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Rodrigues AC, Lima MDM, de Souza LC, Furtado C, Marques CE, Gonçalves L, Lima MV, Lasmar RP, Caramelli P. No Evidence of Association Between Soccer Heading and Cognitive Performance in Professional Soccer Players: Cross-Sectional Results. Front Neurol 2019; 10:209. [PMID: 30915024 PMCID: PMC6422927 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00209] [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: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the scientific community has focused on the effects of concussions in contact sports, the role of subconcussive impacts, as it can occur during soccer heading, has recently gained attention, considering that it may represent an additional mechanism of cumulative brain injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of soccer heading on cognitive functioning in active professional soccer players. Male soccer players (n = 44), from two soccer teams that play in the Brazilian A Series Championship, and non-athletes (n = 47), comparable in age and education, were submitted to cognitive assessment, consisting of computerized and conventional neuropsychological testing (Neupsilin battery). In the computerized cognitive assessment, soccer players performed better than controls on reaction time measures in general motor coordination, executive functioning and memory tests, and on accuracy measures in executive functioning tests. There were no significant differences between groups on the Neupsilin battery. A comparison between two sub-groups of soccer players, based on the self-reported number of headings, did not show significant differences on tests performance. No significant correlations were found between an estimate of exposure to heading during professional soccer career and cognitive performance. Our data demonstrate no evidence of cognitive impairment in soccer players, compared to non-athletes, and no association between heading exposure and performance on neuropsychological tests. Longitudinal investigations, including neuroimaging assessment, will help to clarify whether soccer heading may be associated with brain injury and cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Rodrigues
- Pró-Reitoria de Graduação, Reitoria da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Drummond Martins Lima
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Cruz de Souza
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Celso Furtado
- Departamento Médico do América Futebol Clube, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Gonçalves
- Departamento de Análise de Desempenho do Clube Atlético Mineiro, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Pace Lasmar
- Departamento Médico do Clube Atlético Mineiro, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Paulo Caramelli
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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25
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Sandmo SB, McIntosh AS, Andersen TE, Koerte IK, Bahr R. Evaluation of an In-Ear Sensor for Quantifying Head Impacts in Youth Soccer. Am J Sports Med 2019; 47:974-981. [PMID: 30802147 DOI: 10.1177/0363546519826953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wearable sensor systems have the potential to quantify head kinematic responses of head impacts in soccer. However, on-field use of sensors (eg, accelerometers) remains challenging, owing to poor coupling to the head and difficulties discriminating low-severity direct head impacts from inertial loading of the head from human movements, such as jumping and landing. PURPOSE To test the validity of an in-ear sensor for quantifying head impacts in youth soccer. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS First, the sensor was mounted to a Hybrid III headform and impacted with a linear impactor or a soccer ball. Peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak rotational acceleration (PRA), and peak rotational velocity (PRV) were obtained from both systems; random and systematic errors were calculated with Hybrid III as reference. Then, 6 youth soccer players wore sensors and performed a structured training protocol, including heading and nonheading exercises; they also completed 2 regular soccer sessions. For each accelerative event recorded, PLA, PRA, and PRV outputs were compared with video recordings. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the sensor's discriminatory capacity in both on-field settings, establishing cutoff values for predicting outcomes. RESULTS For the laboratory tests, the random error was 11% for PLA, 20% for PRA, and 5% for PRV; the systematic error was 11%, 19%, and 5%, respectively. For the structured training protocol, heading events resulted in higher absolute values (PLA = 15.6 g± 11.8 g) than nonheading events (PLA = 4.6 g± 1.2 g); the area under the curve was 0.98 for PLA. In regular training sessions, the area under the curve was >0.99 for PLA. A 9 g cutoff value yielded a positive predictive value of 100% in the structured training protocol versus 65% in the regular soccer sessions. CONCLUSION The in-ear sensor displayed considerable random error and substantially overestimated head impact exposure. Despite the sensor's excellent on-field accuracy for discriminating headings from other accelerative events in youth soccer, absolute values must be interpreted with caution, and there is a need for secondary means of verification (eg, video analysis) in real-life settings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Wearable sensor systems can potentially provide valuable insights into head impact exposures in contact sports, but their limitations require careful consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stian Bahr Sandmo
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew S McIntosh
- School of Engineering and ACRISP, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.,Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,McIntosh Consultancy and Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thor Einar Andersen
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inga Katharina Koerte
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Leeds DD, D'Lauro C, Johnson BR. Predictive Power of Head Impact Intensity Measures for Recognition Memory Performance. Mil Med 2019; 184:206-217. [PMID: 30901472 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Subconcussive head injuries are connected to both short-term cognitive changes and long-term neurodegeneration. Further study is required to understand what types of subconcussive impacts might prove detrimental to cognition. We studied cadets at the US Air Force Academy engaged in boxing and physical development, measuring head impact motions during exercise with accelerometers. These head impact measures were compared with post-exercise memory performance. Investigators explored multiple techniques for characterizing the magnitude of head impacts. Boxers received more head impacts and achieved lower performance in post-exercise memory than non-boxers. For several measures of impact motion, impact intensity appeared to set an upper bound on post-exercise memory performance - stronger impacts led to lower expected memory performance. This trend was most significant when impact intensity was measured through a novel technique, applying principal component analysis to boxer motion. Principal component analysis measures also captured more distinct impact information than seven traditional impact measures also tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Leeds
- Computer and Information Sciences Department, Fordham University, John Mulcahy Hall - Room 340, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY
| | - Christopher D'Lauro
- United States Air Force Academy, Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 5L60, USAF Academy, CO
| | - Brian R Johnson
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 503 Robert Grant Ave, Silver Spring, MD
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27
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Li EK, Lee S, Patel SS, Sereno AB. Age-Dependent Performance on Pro-point and Anti-point Tasks. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2519. [PMID: 30618945 PMCID: PMC6304380 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in prefrontal cortex are thought to be responsible for many of the characteristic behavioral changes that are seen during adolescence and late adulthood. Disruption of prefrontal cortex is an early sign for many developmental, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. Goal directed eye movements, such as Anti-saccades, have been shown to have high sensitivity as a gross assessment of prefrontal lobe function. Previous studies on the developmental changes of saccades across age have shown that stimulus-driven and goal-directed eye movements follow a U-shaped trend with peaks in performance occuring during adolescence. Using novel tablet-based pointing tasks, modeled on eye movement tests, this study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of how age affects manual pointing performance, in order to more easily track behavioral changes of the prefrontal cortex. In this study, 82 participants between the ages of 10 and 63 were recruited to participate. Results show that similarly to saccades, manual pointing responses are age dependent with fastest response times found during late adolescence to early adulthood (U-shaped curves). Importantly, we also demonstrated significant differences in the effect of age in stimulus-driven (Pro-point) and goal-directed (Anti-point) pointing tasks. The effect of age on response time (RT) is greater on Anti-point compared to Pro-point task (with a 79 ms greater mean decrease during early development and a 148 ms greater mean increase during later aging). Further, for Pro-point task, the U-shaped curve flattens at about 45 years whereas for Anti-point task the U-shaped curve continues up to the maximum age tested (about 60 years). This dissociation between age-related changes in sensorimotor and cognitive performance suggests independent development of associated brain circuity. Thus, changes of performance in disease that are specific for age and task may be able to help identify brain circuitry involved. Finally, given that these tablet-based pointing tasks show similar age-related patterns reported previously with eye-tracking technology, our findings suggest that such tablet-based tasks may provide an inexpensive, quick, and more practical way of detecting neurological deficits or tracking cognitive changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah K Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shannon Lee
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.,School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Saumil S Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anne B Sereno
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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28
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Reynolds BB, Stanton AN, Soldozy S, Goodkin HP, Wintermark M, Druzgal TJ. Investigating the effects of subconcussion on functional connectivity using mass-univariate and multivariate approaches. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 12:1332-1345. [PMID: 29188492 PMCID: PMC6141348 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9790-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There are concerns about the effects of subconcussive head impacts in sport, but the effects of subconcussion on brain connectivity are not well understood. We hypothesized that college football players experience changes in brain functional connectivity not found in athletes competing in lower impact sports or healthy controls. These changes may be spatially heterogeneous across participants, requiring analysis methods that go beyond mass-univariate approaches commonly used in functional MRI (fMRI). To test this hypothesis, we analyzed resting-state fMRI data from college football (n = 15), soccer (n = 12), and lacrosse players (n = 16), and controls (n = 29) collected at preseason and postseason time points. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) were calculated as measures of local and long-range functional connectivity, respectively. Standard voxel-wise analysis and paired support vector machine (SVM) classification studied subconcussion's effects on local and global functional connectivity. Voxel-wise analyses yielded minimal findings, but SVM classification had high accuracy for college football's ReHo (87%, p = 0.009) and no other group. The findings suggest subconcussion results in spatially heterogeneous changes in local functional connectivity that may only be detectible with multivariate analyses. To determine if voxel-wise and SVM analyses had similar spatial patterns, region-average t-statistic and SVM weight values were compared using a measure of ranking distance. T-statistic and SVM weight rankings exhibited significantly low ranking distance values for all groups and metrics, demonstrating that the analyses converged on a similar underlying effect. Overall, this research suggests that subconcussion in football may produce local functional connectivity changes similar to concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryson B Reynolds
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Amanda N Stanton
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Sauson Soldozy
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Howard P Goodkin
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- UVA Brain Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | | | - T Jason Druzgal
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- UVA Brain Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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29
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Brokaw EB, Fine MS, Kindschi KE, Santago Ii AC, Lum PS, Higgins M. Cross-sectional evaluation of visuomotor tracking performance following subconcussive head impacts. Technol Health Care 2018; 26:109-118. [PMID: 29125529 DOI: 10.3233/thc-171079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been associated with increased risk of degenerative neurological disorders. While the effects of mTBI and repeated injury are known, studies have only recently started examining repeated subconcussive impacts, impacts that do not result in a clinically diagnosed mTBI. In these studies, repeated subconcussive impacts have been connected to cognitive performance and brain imaging changes. OBJECTIVE Recent research suggests that performance on a visuomotor tracking (VMT) task may help improve the identification of mTBI. The goal of this study was to investigate if VMT performance is sensitive to the cumulative effect of repeated subconcussive head impacts in collegiate men's lacrosse players. METHODS A cross-sectional, prospective study was completed with eleven collegiate men's lacrosse players. Participants wore helmet-mounted sensors and completed VMT and reaction time assessments. The relationship between cumulative impact metrics and VMT metrics were investigated. RESULTS In this study, VMT performance correlated with repeated subconcussive head impacts; individuals approached clinically diagnosed mTBI-like performance as the cumulative rotational velocity they experienced increased. CONCLUSION This suggests that repeated subconcussive impacts can result in measurable impairments and indicates that visuomotor tracking performance may be a useful tool for monitoring the effects of repeated subconcussive impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E B Brokaw
- Emerging Technologies Department, The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA, USA
| | - M S Fine
- Emerging Technologies Department, The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA, USA
| | - K E Kindschi
- Department of Sports Medicine, The MedStar Health Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A C Santago Ii
- Emerging Technologies Department, The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA, USA
| | - P S Lum
- Center for Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research, The MedStar Health National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - M Higgins
- Kinesiology Department, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
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30
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Panchal H, Sollmann N, Pasternak O, Alosco ML, Kinzel P, Kaufmann D, Hartl E, Forwell LA, Johnson AM, Skopelja EN, Shenton ME, Koerte IK, Echlin PS, Lin AP. Neuro-Metabolite Changes in a Single Season of University Ice Hockey Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Front Neurol 2018; 9:616. [PMID: 30177905 PMCID: PMC6109794 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous research has shown evidence for transient neuronal loss after repetitive head impacts (RHI) as demonstrated by a decrease in N-acetylaspartate (NAA). However, few studies have investigated other neuro-metabolites that may be altered in the presence of RHI; furthermore, the relationship of neuro-metabolite changes to neurocognitive outcome and potential sex differences remain largely unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify alterations in brain metabolites and their potential association with neurocognitive performance over time as well as to characterize sex-specific differences in response to RHI. Methods: 33 collegiate ice hockey players (17 males and 16 females) underwent 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and neurocognitive evaluation before and after the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) ice hockey season 2011–2012. The MRS voxel was placed in the corpus callosum. Pre- and postseason neurocognitive performances were assessed using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). Absolute neuro-metabolite concentrations were then compared between pre- and postseason MRS were (level of statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons: p < 0.007) and correlated to ImPACT scores for both sexes. Results: A significant decrease in NAA was observed from preseason to postseason (p = 0.001). Furthermore, a trend toward a decrease in total choline (Cho) was observed (p = 0.044). Although no overall effect was observed for glutamate (Glu) over the season, a difference was observed with females showing a decrease in Glu and males showing an increase in Glu, though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.039). In both males and females, a negative correlation was observed between changes in Glu and changes in verbal memory (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate changes in absolute concentrations of neuro-metabolites following exposure to RHI. Results suggest that changes in Glu are correlated with changes in verbal memory. Future studies need to investigate further the association between brain metabolites and clinical outcome as well as sex-specific differences in the brain's response to RHI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemali Panchal
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nico Sollmann
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,TUM-Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Philipp Kinzel
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - David Kaufmann
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hartl
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorie A Forwell
- 3M Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew M Johnson
- School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elaine N Skopelja
- Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA, United States
| | - Inga K Koerte
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul S Echlin
- Elliott Sports Medicine Clinic, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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31
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Alzheimer's Dementia due to Suspected CTE from Subconcussive Head Impact. Case Rep Neurol Med 2018; 2018:7890269. [PMID: 30155327 PMCID: PMC6091421 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7890269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been receiving increasing attention due to press coverage of professional football players. The devastating sequelae of CTE compel us to aim for early diagnosis and treatment. However, by current standards, CTE is challenging to diagnose. Clear clinical diagnostic criteria for CTE have not been established. Only recently, pathological diagnostic criteria have been recognized, but postmortem diagnosis is too late. Reliable biomarkers are not available. By imaging criteria, cavum septum pellucidum has been the only consistent identifiable MRI finding. Because of the imprecise nature of diagnosis based on clinical suspicion, physicians must become cognizant of the broad spectrum of presentations of CTE. With this awareness, appropriate workup can be initiated. CTE can present with early symptoms of emotional changes or late symptoms with memory decline and dementia. Here we present an unusual case of a patient with Alzheimer's disease secondary to suspected CTE that stems from subconcussive head impacts presenting with severe memory and MRI changes. Clinicians should be aware of this presentation and consider CTE in their differential diagnoses while undergoing workup of memory disorders.
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32
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Correction: Evidence of Cognitive Dysfunction after Soccer Playing with Ball Heading Using a Novel Tablet-Based Approach. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200450. [PMID: 29975774 PMCID: PMC6033469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Kellar D, Newman S, Pestilli F, Cheng H, Port NL. Comparing fMRI activation during smooth pursuit eye movements among contact sport athletes, non-contact sport athletes, and non-athletes. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018. [PMID: 29541575 PMCID: PMC5849867 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Though sub-concussive impacts are common during contact sports, there is little consensus whether repeat blows affect brain function. Using a "lifetime exposure" rather than acute exposure approach, we examined oculomotor performance and brain activation among collegiate football players and two control groups. Our analysis examined whether there are group differences in eye movement behavioral performance and in brain activation during smooth pursuit. Methods Data from 21 off-season Division I football "starters" were compared with a) 19 collegiate cross-country runners, and b) 11 non-athlete college students who were SES matched to the football player group (total N = 51). Visual smooth pursuit was performed while undergoing fMRI imaging via a 3 Tesla scanner. Smooth pursuit eye movements to three stimulus difficulty levels were measured with regard to RMS error, gain, and lag. Results No meaningful differences were found for any of the standard analyses used to assess smooth pursuit eye movements. For fMRI, greater activation was seen in the oculomotor region of the cerebellar vermis and areas of the FEF for football players as compared to either control group, who did not differ on any measure. Conclusion Greater cerebellar activity among football players while performing an oculomotor task could indicate that they are working harder to compensate for some subtle, long-term subconcussive deficits. Alternatively, top athletes in a sport requiring high visual motor skill could have more of their cerebellum and FEF devoted to oculomotor task performance regardless of subconcussive history. Overall, these results provide little firm support for an effect of accumulated subconcussion exposure on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Kellar
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E 10th St., Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Sharlene Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E 10th St., Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Franco Pestilli
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E 10th St., Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Hu Cheng
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E 10th St., Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Nicholas L Port
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E 10th St., Bloomington, IN, United States.
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34
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Grinberg LT, Anghinah R, Nascimento CF, Amaro E, Leite RP, Martin MDGM, Naslavsky MS, Takada LT, Filho WJ, Pasqualucci CA, Nitrini R. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Presenting as Alzheimer's Disease in a Retired Soccer Player. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 54:169-74. [PMID: 27472879 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between soccer and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is not well established. We report clinicopathological correlations in an 83-year-old retired center-back soccer player, with no history of concussion, manifesting typical Alzheimer-type dementia. Examination revealed mixed pathology including widespread CTE, moderate Alzheimer's disease, hippocampal sclerosis, and TDP-43 proteinopathy. This case adds to a few CTE cases described in soccer players. Furthermore, it corroborates that CTE may present clinically as typical Alzheimer-type dementia. Further studies investigating the extent to which soccer is a risk for CTE are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea T Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology - LIM-22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Anghinah
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Amaro
- Institute of Radiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata P Leite
- Division of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Michel S Naslavsky
- Human Genome Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonel T Takada
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson Jacob Filho
- Division of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Pasqualucci
- Department of Pathology - LIM-22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nitrini
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
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35
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Nitrini R. Soccer (Football Association) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy: A short review and recommendation. Dement Neuropsychol 2017; 11:218-220. [PMID: 29213517 PMCID: PMC5674664 DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642016dn11-030002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was initially described in boxers, but in recent years it has been reported in other settings, particularly in contact sports and military personnel. Soccer (football association) had previously been (and still is) considered relatively safe when compared to other sports, such as American football. However, a few cases of professional soccer players with CTE have been reported in the last few years. It is still unknown how frequent this condition is in soccer players, and the role played by heading the ball remains elusive. Other traumas to the head, face and neck caused by contact with another player's head, arm or other body parts are among the most frequent in soccer. In spite of the lack of more in-depth knowledge, there is reasonable evidence for recommending severe punishment (red card and suspension for several matches) for players causing avoidable trauma to another player's head.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Nitrini
- MD, PhD. Chefe do Departamento de Neurologia e da Divisão de Clínica Neurológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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36
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Sollmann N, Echlin PS, Schultz V, Viher PV, Lyall AE, Tripodis Y, Kaufmann D, Hartl E, Kinzel P, Forwell LA, Johnson AM, Skopelja EN, Lepage C, Bouix S, Pasternak O, Lin AP, Shenton ME, Koerte IK. Sex differences in white matter alterations following repetitive subconcussive head impacts in collegiate ice hockey players. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 17:642-649. [PMID: 29204342 PMCID: PMC5709295 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective Repetitive subconcussive head impacts (RSHI) may lead to structural, functional, and metabolic alterations of the brain. While differences between males and females have already been suggested following a concussion, whether there are sex differences following exposure to RSHI remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and to characterize sex differences following exposure to RSHI. Methods Twenty-five collegiate ice hockey players (14 males and 11 females, 20.6 ± 2.0 years), all part of the Hockey Concussion Education Project (HCEP), underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) before and after the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) ice hockey season 2011-2012 and did not experience a concussion during the season. Whole-brain tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to compare pre- and postseason imaging in both sexes for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Pre- and postseason neurocognitive performance were assessed by the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). Results Significant differences between the sexes were primarily located within the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), the internal capsule (IC), and the corona radiata (CR) of the right hemisphere (RH). In significant voxel clusters (p < 0.05), decreases in FA (absolute difference pre- vs. postseason: 0.0268) and increases in MD (0.0002), AD (0.00008), and RD (0.00005) were observed in females whereas males showed no significant changes. There was no significant correlation between the change in diffusion scalar measures over the course of the season and neurocognitive performance as evidenced from postseason ImPACT scores. Conclusions The results of this study suggest sex differences in structural alterations following exposure to RSHI. Future studies need to investigate further the underlying mechanisms and association with exposure and clinical outcomes.
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Key Words
- AD, axial diffusivity
- CIS, Canadian Interuniversity Sports
- CR, corona radiata
- Diffusion tensor imaging
- EC, external capsule
- FA, fractional anisotropy
- HCEP, Hockey Concussion Education Project
- IC, internal capsule
- Ice hockey
- ImPACT, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test
- LH, left hemisphere
- MD, mean diffusivity
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association
- RD, radial diffusivity
- RH, right hemisphere
- RSHI, repetitive subconcussive head impacts
- Repetitive subconcussive head impacts
- SD, standard deviation
- SLF, superior longitudinal fasciculus
- Sex difference
- TBI, traumatic brain injury
- TBSS, tract-based spatial statistics
- Traumatic brain injury
- WM, white matter
- White matter
- dMRI, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging
- rs, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Sollmann
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Paul S Echlin
- Elliott Sports Medicine Clinic, Burlington, ON, Canada.
| | - Vivian Schultz
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Petra V Viher
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Amanda E Lyall
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David Kaufmann
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany; Department of Radiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Elisabeth Hartl
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Philipp Kinzel
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Lorie A Forwell
- 3M Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Andrew M Johnson
- School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Elaine N Skopelja
- Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Christian Lepage
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Sylvain Bouix
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton Division, Brockton, MA, USA.
| | - Inga K Koerte
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Tarnutzer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Soccer players are at high risk for repetitive subconcussive head impact when heading the ball. Whether this leads to long-term alterations of the brain's structure associated with cognitive decline remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate cortical thickness in former professional soccer players using high-resolution structural MR imaging. Fifteen former male professional soccer players (mean age 49.3 [SD 5.1] years) underwent high-resolution structural 3 T MR imaging, as well as cognitive testing. Fifteen male, age-matched former professional non-contact sport athletes (mean age 49.6 [SD 6.4] years) served as controls. Group analyses of cortical thickness were performed using voxel-based statistics. Soccer players demonstrated greater cortical thinning with increasing age compared to controls in the right inferolateral-parietal, temporal, and occipital cortex. Cortical thinning was associated with lower cognitive performance as well as with estimated exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impact. Neurocognitive evaluation revealed decreased memory performance in the soccer players compared to controls. The association of cortical thinning and decreased cognitive performance, as well as exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impact, further supports the hypothesis that repetitive subconcussive head impact may play a role in early cognitive decline in soccer players. Future studies are needed to elucidate the time course of changes in cortical thickness as well as their association with impaired cognitive function and possible underlying neurodegenerative process.
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Koerte IK, Nichols E, Tripodis Y, Schultz V, Lehner S, Igbinoba R, Chuang AZ, Mayinger M, Klier EM, Muehlmann M, Kaufmann D, Lepage C, Heinen F, Schulte-Körne G, Zafonte R, Shenton ME, Sereno AB. Impaired Cognitive Performance in Youth Athletes Exposed to Repetitive Head Impacts. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:2389-2395. [PMID: 28381107 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2016.4960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, more than 22 million children and adolescents are exposed to repetitive head impacts (RHI) in soccer. Evidence indicates cumulative effects on brain structure, but it is not known whether exposure to RHI affects cognitive improvement in adolescents. The aim of the study was to determine whether exposure to RHI while heading the ball in soccer affects improvement in cognitive performance in adolescents over time. The study group consisted of a convenience sample of 16 male soccer players (mean age 15.7 ± 0.7 years). A comparison cohort of 14 male non-contact sports athletes (mean age 14.9 ± 1.1 years) was recruited from competitive athletic clubs and group-matched in age. Using the ProPoint and AntiPoint tasks, sensorimotor and cognitive functions were measured over both immediate (pre- vs. post-training) as well as across multiple time points within a play season. The number and type of head impacts that occurred during the training were counted. The main outcome measure was the change in response time (RT) in the ProPoint and AntiPoint tasks. The immediate (pre- vs. post-training) and longer-term (across a play season) change in RT was analyzed, and the effect of the number and type of head impacts was tested. Thirty athletes with and without exposure to RHI demonstrated a decrease in RT in both tasks immediately after training. Over the play season, both groups showed improvement in sensorimotor function. While the control group also improved in cognitive performance, the soccer players did not, however. Further, the more long headers performed, the slower the improvement in RT over the season. Youth athletes experience an immediate cognitive improvement after training most likely because of physical exercise. Results of this study also suggest an association between exposure to specific RHI (long headers) and lack of improvement in cognitive performance in youth athletes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga K Koerte
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany .,2 Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Nichols
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- 3 Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vivian Schultz
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany .,2 Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stefan Lehner
- 4 Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, University of Applied Sciences , Munich, Germany
| | - Randy Igbinoba
- 5 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, Texas
| | - Alice Z Chuang
- 6 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, Texas
| | - Michael Mayinger
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany .,2 Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eliana M Klier
- 5 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, Texas
| | - Marc Muehlmann
- 7 Institute for Clinical Radiology , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christian Lepage
- 2 Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Florian Heinen
- 9 Department of Pediatric Neurology, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital , Ludwig-Maximilians- Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerd Schulte-Körne
- 1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany
| | - Ross Zafonte
- 10 Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Martha E Shenton
- 2 Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,11 VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anne B Sereno
- 5 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, Texas
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Parsons TD, McMahan T, Kane R. Practice parameters facilitating adoption of advanced technologies for enhancing neuropsychological assessment paradigms. Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:16-41. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2017.1337932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D. Parsons
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
- Computational Neuropsychology and Simulation Laboratory, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Timothy McMahan
- Computational Neuropsychology and Simulation Laboratory, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Robert Kane
- Cognitive Consults and Technology LLC, Washington, DC, USA
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Reynolds BB, Patrie J, Henry EJ, Goodkin HP, Broshek DK, Wintermark M, Druzgal TJ. Effects of Sex and Event Type on Head Impact in Collegiate Soccer. Orthop J Sports Med 2017; 5:2325967117701708. [PMID: 28491885 PMCID: PMC5405897 DOI: 10.1177/2325967117701708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of head impact in sports are of growing interest for clinicians, scientists, and athletes. Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, but the burden of head impact in collegiate soccer is still unknown. PURPOSE To quantify head impact associated with practicing and playing collegiate soccer using wearable accelerometers. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive epidemiological study. METHODS Mastoid patch accelerometers were used to quantify head impact in soccer, examining differences in head impact as a function of sex and event type (practice vs game). Seven female and 14 male collegiate soccer players wore mastoid patch accelerometers that measured head impacts during team events. Data were summarized for each athletic exposure, and statistical analyses evaluated the mean number of impacts, mean peak linear acceleration, mean peak rotational acceleration, and cumulative linear and rotational acceleration, each grouped by sex and event type. RESULTS There were no differences in the frequency or severity of head impacts between men's and women's soccer practices. For men's soccer, games resulted in 285% more head impacts than practices, but there were no event-type differences in mean impact severity. Men's soccer games resulted in more head impacts than practices across nearly all measured impact severities, which also resulted in men's soccer games producing a greater cumulative impact burden. CONCLUSION Similar to other sports, men's soccer games have a greater impact burden when compared with practices, and this effect is driven by the quantity rather than severity of head impacts. In contrast, there were no differences in the quantity or severity of head impacts in men's and women's soccer practices. These data could prompt discussions of practical concern to collegiate soccer, such as understanding sex differences in head impact and whether games disproportionately contribute to an athlete's head impact burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryson B Reynolds
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - James Patrie
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Erich J Henry
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Howard P Goodkin
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Donna K Broshek
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Max Wintermark
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - T Jason Druzgal
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Ling H, Morris HR, Neal JW, Lees AJ, Hardy J, Holton JL, Revesz T, Williams DDR. Mixed pathologies including chronic traumatic encephalopathy account for dementia in retired association football (soccer) players. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:337-352. [PMID: 28205009 PMCID: PMC5325836 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1680-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In retired professional association football (soccer) players with a past history of repetitive head impacts, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a potential neurodegenerative cause of dementia and motor impairments. From 1980 to 2010, 14 retired footballers with dementia were followed up regularly until death. Their clinical data, playing career, and concussion history were prospectively collected. Next-of-kin provided consent for six to have post-mortem brain examination. Of the 14 male participants, 13 were professional and 1 was a committed amateur. All were skilled headers of the ball and had played football for an average of 26 years. Concussion rate was limited in six cases to one episode each during their careers. All cases developed progressive cognitive impairment with an average age at onset of 63.6 years and disease duration of 10 years. Neuropathological examination revealed septal abnormalities in all six post-mortem cases, supportive of a history of chronic repetitive head impacts. Four cases had pathologically confirmed CTE; concomitant pathologies included Alzheimer’s disease (N = 6), TDP-43 (N = 6), cerebral amyloid angiopathy (N = 5), hippocampal sclerosis (N = 2), corticobasal degeneration (N = 1), dementia with Lewy bodies (N = 1), and vascular pathology (N = 1); and all would have contributed synergistically to the clinical manifestations. The pathological diagnosis of CTE was established in four individuals according to the latest consensus diagnostic criteria. This finding is probably related to their past prolonged exposure to repetitive head impacts from head-to-player collisions and heading the ball thousands of time throughout their careers. Alzheimer’s disease and TDP-43 pathologies are common concomitant findings in CTE, both of which are increasingly considered as part of the CTE pathological entity in older individuals. Association football is the most popular sport in the world and the potential link between repetitive head impacts from playing football and CTE as indicated from our findings is of considerable public health interest. Clearly, a definitive link cannot be established in this clinico-pathological series, but our findings support the need for further systematic investigation, including large-scale case–control studies to identify at risk groups of footballers which will justify for the implementation of protective strategies.
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Reynolds BB, Patrie J, Henry EJ, Goodkin HP, Broshek DK, Wintermark M, Druzgal TJ. Comparative Analysis of Head Impact in Contact and Collision Sports. J Neurotrauma 2016; 34:38-49. [PMID: 27541183 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As concerns about head impact in American football have grown, similar concerns have started to extend to other sports thought to experience less head impact, such as soccer and lacrosse. However, the amount of head impact experienced in soccer and lacrosse is relatively unknown, particularly compared with the substantial amount of data from football. This pilot study quantifies and compares head impact from four different types of sports teams: college football, high school football, college soccer, and college lacrosse. During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, 61 players wore mastoid patch accelerometers to quantify head impact during official athletic events (i.e., practices and games). In both practices and games, college football players experienced the most or second-most impacts per athletic event, highest average peak resultant linear and rotational acceleration per impact, and highest cumulative linear and rotational acceleration per athletic event. For average peak resultant linear and rotational acceleration per individual impact, college football was followed by high school football, then college lacrosse, and then college soccer, with similar trends in both practices and games. In the four teams under study, college football players experienced a categorically higher burden of head impact. However, for cumulative impact burden, the high school football cohort was not significantly different from the college soccer cohort. The results suggest that head impact in sport substantially varies by both the type of sport (football vs. soccer vs. lacrosse) and level of play (college vs. high school).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryson B Reynolds
- 1 Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - James Patrie
- 2 Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Erich J Henry
- 1 Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Howard P Goodkin
- 3 Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Donna K Broshek
- 4 Neurocognitive Assessment Lab, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Max Wintermark
- 5 Department of Neuroradiology, Stanford University , Stanford, California
| | - T Jason Druzgal
- 1 Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinthi Pillai
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John W. Gittinger
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Catenaccio E, Caccese J, Wakschlag N, Fleysher R, Kim N, Kim M, Buckley TA, Stewart WF, Lipton RB, Kaminski T, Lipton ML. Validation and calibration of HeadCount, a self-report measure for quantifying heading exposure in soccer players. Res Sports Med 2016; 24:416-425. [PMID: 27788599 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2016.1234472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The long-term effects of repetitive head impacts due to heading are an area of increasing concern, and exposure must be accurately measured; however, the validity of self-report of cumulative soccer heading is not known. In order to validate HeadCount, a 2-week recall questionnaire, the number of player-reported headers was compared to the number of headers observed by trained raters for a men's and a women's collegiate soccer teams during an entire season of competitive play using Spearman's correlations and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and calibrated using a generalized estimating equation. The average Spearman's rho was 0.85 for men and 0.79 for women. The average ICC was 0.75 in men and 0.38 in women. The calibration analysis demonstrated that men tend to report heading accurately while women tend to overestimate. HeadCount is a valid instrument for tracking heading behaviour, but may have to be calibrated in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Catenaccio
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - J Caccese
- b Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA
| | - N Wakschlag
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - R Fleysher
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,c Department of Radiology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - N Kim
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,c Department of Radiology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - M Kim
- d Department of Epidemiology and Population Health , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - T A Buckley
- e Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA
| | | | - R B Lipton
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,d Department of Epidemiology and Population Health , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,g Department of Neurology , Montefiore Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.,h Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - T Kaminski
- e Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA
| | - M L Lipton
- a Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,c Department of Radiology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,h Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.,i Department of Radiology , Montefiore Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.,j Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
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Chrisman SPD, Mac Donald CL, Friedman S, Andre J, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Drescher S, Stein E, Holm M, Evans N, Poliakov AV, Ching RP, Schwien CC, Vavilala MS, Rivara FP. Head Impact Exposure During a Weekend Youth Soccer Tournament. J Child Neurol 2016; 31:971-8. [PMID: 26951540 DOI: 10.1177/0883073816634857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Concussion is a known risk in youth soccer, but little is known about subconcussive head impacts. The authors provided a prospective cohort study measuring frequency and magnitude of subconcussive head impacts using accelerometry in a middle school-age soccer tournament, and association between head impacts and changes in (1) symptoms, (2) cognitive testing, and (3) advanced neuroimaging. A total of 17 youth completed the study (41% female, mean 12.6 years). There were 73 head impacts >15g measured (45% headers) and only 2 had a maximum peak linear acceleration >50g No youth reported symptoms consistent with concussion. After correction for multiple comparisons and a sensitivity analysis excluding clear outliers, no significant associations were found between head impact exposure and neuropsychological testing or advanced neuroimaging. The authors conclude that head impacts were relatively uncommon and low in acceleration in youth playing a weekend soccer tournament. This study adds to the limited data regarding head impacts in youth soccer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara P D Chrisman
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Adolescent Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christine L Mac Donald
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Seth Friedman
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jalal Andre
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Neuroradiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara Drescher
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stein
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew Holm
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicole Evans
- Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Randal P Ching
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina C Schwien
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Monica S Vavilala
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Frederick P Rivara
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs in association with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. It is associated with a variety of clinical symptoms in multiple domains, and there is a distinct pattern of pathological changes. The abnormal tau pathology in CTE occurs uniquely in those regions of the brain that are likely most susceptible to stress concentration during trauma. CTE has been associated with a variety of types of repetitive head trauma, most frequently contact sports. In cases published to date, the mean length of exposure to repetitive head trauma was 15.4 years. The clinical symptoms of the disease began after a mean latency of 14.5 years with a mean age of death of 59.3 years. Most subjects had a reported history of concussions with a mean of 20.3. However, 16 % of published CTE subjects did not have a history of concussion suggesting that subconcussive hits are sufficient to lead to the development of CTE. Overall, the number of years of exposure, not the number of concussions, was significantly associated with worse tau pathology in CTE. This suggests that it is the chronic and repetitive nature of head trauma, irrespective of concussive symptoms, that is the most important driver of disease. CTE and exposure to repetitive head trauma is also associated with a variety of other neurodegenerations, including Alzheimer disease. In fact, amyloid β peptide deposition is altered and accelerated in CTE and is associated with worse disease. Here, we review the current exposure, clinical, and pathological associations of CTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thor D Stein
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA,
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48
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Rodrigues AC, Lasmar RP, Caramelli P. Effects of Soccer Heading on Brain Structure and Function. Front Neurol 2016; 7:38. [PMID: 27047444 PMCID: PMC4800441 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with more than 265 million players worldwide, including professional and amateur ones. Soccer is unique in comparison to other sports, as it is the only sport in which participants purposely use their head to hit the ball. Heading is considered as an offensive or defensive move whereby the player's unprotected head is used to deliberately impact the ball and direct it during play. A soccer player can be subjected to an average of 6-12 incidents of heading the ball per competitive game, where the ball reaches high velocities. Moreover, in practice sessions, heading training, which involves heading the ball repeatedly at low velocities, is common. Although the scientific community, as well as the media, has focused on the effects of concussions in contact sports, the role of subconcussive impacts, as it can occur during heading, has recently gained attention, considering that it may represent an additional mechanism of cumulative brain injury. The purpose of this study is to review the existing literature regarding the effects of soccer heading on brain structure and function. Only in the last years, some investigations have addressed the impact of heading on brain structure, by using neuroimaging techniques. Similarly, there have been some recent studies investigating biochemical markers of brain injury in soccer players. There is evidence of association between heading and abnormal brain structure, but the data are still preliminary. Also, some studies have suggested that subconcussive head impacts, as heading, could cause cognitive impairment, whereas others have not corroborated this finding. Questions persist as to whether or not heading is deleterious to cognitive functioning. Further studies, especially with longitudinal designs, are needed to clarify the clinical significance of heading as a cause of brain injury and to identify risk factors. Such investigations might contribute to the establishment of safety guidelines that could help to minimize the risk of possible adverse effects of soccer on brain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Rodrigues
- Pró-Reitoria de Graduação, Reitoria da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pace Lasmar
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Caramelli
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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49
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Hrysomallis C. Neck Muscular Strength, Training, Performance and Sport Injury Risk: A Review. Sports Med 2016; 46:1111-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s40279-016-0490-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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50
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Kirchgessner MA, Chuang AZ, Patel SS, Sereno AB. Intact Reflexive but Deficient Voluntary Social Orienting in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:453. [PMID: 26648841 PMCID: PMC4665260 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairment in social interactions is a primary characteristic of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although these individuals tend to orient less to naturalistic social cues than do typically developing (TD) individuals, laboratory experiments testing social orienting in ASD have been inconclusive, possibly because of a failure to fully isolate reflexive (stimulus-driven) and voluntary (goal-directed) social orienting processes. The purpose of the present study was to separately examine potential reflexive and/or voluntary social orienting differences in individuals with ASD relative to TD controls. Subjects (ages 7–14) with high-functioning ASD and a matched control group completed three gaze cueing tasks on an iPad in which individuals briefly saw a face with averted gaze followed by a target after a variable delay. Two tasks were 100% predictive with either all congruent (target appears in gaze direction) or all incongruent (target appears opposite from gaze direction) trials, respectively. Another task was non-predictive with these same trials (half congruent and half incongruent) intermixed randomly. Response times (RTs) to the target were used to calculate reflexive (incongruent condition RT—congruent condition RT) and voluntary (non-predictive condition RT—predictive condition RT) gaze cueing effects. Subjects also completed two additional non-social orienting tasks (ProPoint and AntiPoint). Subjects with ASD demonstrate intact reflexive but deficient voluntary gaze following. Similar results were found in a separate test of non-social orienting. This suggests problems with using social cues, but only in a goal-directed fashion, in our sample of high-functioning individuals with ASD. Such findings may not only explain inconclusive previous findings but more importantly be critical for understanding social dysfunctions in ASD and for developing future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Kirchgessner
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Rice University Houston, TX, USA ; Department of Psychology, Rice University Houston, TX, USA ; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alice Z Chuang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX, USA
| | - Saumil S Patel
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne B Sereno
- Department of Psychology, Rice University Houston, TX, USA ; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX, USA
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