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Brooks JS, Dickey JP. Effect of Repetitive Head Impacts on Saccade Performance in Canadian University Football Players. Clin J Sport Med 2024; 34:280-287. [PMID: 38150378 PMCID: PMC11042529 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate the effect of cumulative head impacts on saccade latency and errors, measured across two successive football seasons. DESIGN Participants were acquired from a sample of convenience-one Canadian university football team. Head impacts were collected during training camp, practices, eight regular season games, and four playoff games in each season. Saccade measurements were collected at five time points-before and after training camp, at midseason, after regular season, and after playoffs. SETTING Two seasons following players from a single USports football team during practices and games. PARTICIPANTS Players who completed a baseline saccade measurement and a minimum of one follow-up measurement were included in the study. A total of 127 players were monitored across two competitive seasons, including 61 players who participated in both seasons. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Head impact measurements were collected using helmet-mounted sensors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Saccade latency and number of errors were measured using high-speed video or electro-oculography. RESULTS On average, each head impact increased prosaccade latency by 5.16 × 10 -3 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.26 × 10 -4 -1.00 × 10 -2 , P = 0.03) and antisaccade latency by 5.74 × 10 -3 ms (95% CI, 7.18 × 10 -4 -1.06 × 10 -2 , P = 0.02). These latency increases did not decrease between the two seasons; in fact, prosaccade latencies were 23.20 ms longer (95% CI, 19.40-27.14, P < 0.001) at the second season's baseline measurement than the first. The number of saccade errors was not affected by cumulative head impacts. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive head impacts in Canadian university football result in cumulative declines in brain function as measured by saccade performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Football organizations should consider implementing policies focused on reducing head impacts to improve player safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S. Brooks
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada; and
| | - James P. Dickey
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Kraus N, Colegrove D, Otto-Meyer R, Bonacina S, Nicol T, Cunningham J, Krizman J. Subconcussion revealed by sound processing in the brain. EXERCISE, SPORT, & MOVEMENT 2023; 1:1-4. [PMID: 38130893 PMCID: PMC10735248 DOI: 10.1249/esm.0000000000000011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Introduction/Purpose We tested the hypothesis that an objective measure of auditory processing reveals a history of head trauma that does not meet the clinical definition of concussion. Methods Division I collegiate student-athletes (n = 709) across 19 sports were divided into groups, based on their sport, using prevailing classifications of "contact" (317 males, 212 females) and "noncontact" (58 males, 122 females). Participants were evaluated using the frequency-following response (FFR) to speech. The amplitude of FFR activity in a frequency band corresponding to the fundamental frequency (F0)-the voice pitch-of the speech stimulus, an outcome reduced in individuals with concussions, was critically examined. Results We found main effects of contact level and sex. The FFR-F0 was smaller in contact athletes than noncontact athletes and larger in females than males. There was a contact by sex interaction, with the FFR-F0 of males in the contact group being smaller than the three other groups. Secondary analyses found a correlation between FFR-F0 and length of participation in contact sports in male athletes. Conclusion These findings suggest that the disruption of sensory processing in the brain can be observed in individuals without a concussion but whose sport features regular physical contact. This evidence identifies sound processing in the brain as an objective marker of subconcussion in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kraus
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Danielle Colegrove
- Department of Sports Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rembrandt Otto-Meyer
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Silvia Bonacina
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Trent Nicol
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jenna Cunningham
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jennifer Krizman
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Yu M, Xu S, Hu H, Li S, Yang G. Differences in right hemisphere fNIRS activation associated with executive network during performance of the lateralized attention network tast by elite, expert and novice ice hockey athletes. Behav Brain Res 2023; 443:114209. [PMID: 36368444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated brain activity associated with executive control attention network in elite, expert, and novice female ice hockey athletes during the revised lateralized attention network tast to determine whether the neural correlates of performance differ by skill level. METHODS We collected and analyzed functional near-infrared spectroscopy data of 38 participants while performing the revised lateralized attention network tast. RESULTS Elite players were significantly faster than novices (p = .005), and the experts' overall accuracy rate (ACC) was higher than that of novices (p = .001). The effect of the executive network on reaction time was higher in novices than in elite players (p = .008) and experts (p = .004). The effect of the executive network on the ACC was lower in elite players than in experts (p = .009) and novices (p = .010). Finally, elite player had higher flanker conflict effects on RT (p = .005) under the invalid cue condition. the effect of the alertness network and orientation on the ACC was lower in elite players than in novices (p = .000) and experts (p = .022). Changes in the blood oxygen level-dependent signal related to the flanker effect were significantly different in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F=3.980, p = .028) and right inferior frontal gyrus (F=3.703, p = .035) among the three groups. Elit players showed more efficient executive control (reduced conflict effect on ACC) (p = .006)in the RH.The changes related to the effect of blood oxygen level on orienting were significantly different in the right frontal eye fields (F=3.883, p = .030) among the three groups, Accompanied by significant activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(p = .026). CONCLUSION Our findings provide partial evidence of the superior cognitive performance and high neural efficiency of elite ice hockey players during cognitive tasks. These results demonstrate the right hemisphere superiority for executive control.We also found that specific brain activation in hockey players does not show a clear and linear relationship with skill level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yu
- Sport Science College, Jilin Sport University, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Sinuo Xu
- Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia.
| | - Hao Hu
- Sport Science College, Jilin Sport University, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Shuangling Li
- School of Physical Education and Training, Harbin Sport College, Harbin 150008, China.
| | - Guang Yang
- School of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
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Ridderinkhof KR, Wylie SA, van den Wildenberg WPM, Bashore TR, van der Molen MW. The arrow of time: Advancing insights into action control from the arrow version of the Eriksen flanker task. Atten Percept Psychophys 2021; 83:700-721. [PMID: 33099719 PMCID: PMC7884358 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-020-02167-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Since its introduction by B. A. Eriksen and C. W. Eriksen (Perception & Psychophysics, 16, 143-49, 1974), the flanker task has emerged as one of the most important experimental tasks in the history of cognitive psychology. The impact of a seemingly simple task design involving a target stimulus flanked on each side by a few task-irrelevant stimuli is astounding. It has inspired research across the fields of cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology, neurology, psychiatry, and sports science. In our tribute to Charles W. ("Erik") Eriksen, we (1) review the seminal papers originating from his lab in the 1970s that launched the paradigmatic task and laid the foundation for studies of action control, (2) describe the inception of the arrow version of the Eriksen flanker task, (3) articulate the conceptual and neural models of action control that emerged from studies of the arrows flanker task, and (4) illustrate the influential role of the arrows flanker task in disclosing developmental trends in action control, fundamental deficits in action control due to neuropsychiatric disorders, and enhanced action control among elite athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott A Wylie
- Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Krizman J, Lindley T, Bonacina S, Colegrove D, White-Schwoch T, Kraus N. Play Sports for a Quieter Brain: Evidence From Division I Collegiate Athletes. Sports Health 2019; 12:154-158. [PMID: 31813316 DOI: 10.1177/1941738119892275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Playing sports has many benefits, including boosting physical, cardiovascular, and mental fitness. We tested whether athletic benefits extend to sensory processing-specifically auditory processing-as measured by the frequency-following response (FFR), a scalp-recorded electrophysiological potential that captures neural activity predominately from the auditory midbrain to complex sounds. HYPOTHESIS Given that FFR amplitude is sensitive to experience, with enrichment enhancing FFRs and injury reducing them, we hypothesized that playing sports is a form of enrichment that results in greater FFR amplitude. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. METHODS We measured FFRs to the speech syllable "da" in 495 student-athletes across 19 Division I teams and 493 age- and sex-matched controls and compared them on 3 measures of FFR amplitude: amplitude of the response, amplitude of the background noise, and the ratio of these 2 measures. RESULTS Athletes have larger responses to sound than nonathletes, driven by a reduction in their level of background neural noise. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that playing sports increases the gain of an auditory signal by turning down the background noise. This mode of enhancement may be tied to the overall fitness level of athletes and/or the heightened need of an athlete to engage with and respond to auditory stimuli during competition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results motivate athletics overall and engagement in athletic interventions for populations that struggle with sensory processing, such as individuals with language disorders. Also, because head injuries can disrupt these same auditory processes, it is important to consider how auditory processing enhancements may offset injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Krizman
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Tory Lindley
- Department of Athletics, Sports Medicine Unit, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Silvia Bonacina
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Danielle Colegrove
- Department of Athletics, Sports Medicine Unit, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Travis White-Schwoch
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Nina Kraus
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Institute for Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
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Wylie SA, Ally BA, van Wouwe NC, Neimat JS, van den Wildenberg WPM, Bashore TR. Exposing an "Intangible" Cognitive Skill Among Collegiate Football Players: III. Enhanced Reaction Control to Motion. Front Sports Act Living 2019; 1:51. [PMID: 33344974 PMCID: PMC7739764 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2019.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Football is played in a dynamic, often unpredictable, visual environment in which players are challenged to process and respond with speed and flexibility to critical incoming stimulus events. To meet this challenge, we hypothesize that football players possess, in conjunction with their extraordinary physical skills, exceptionally proficient executive cognitive control systems that optimize response execution. It is particularly important for these systems to be proficient at coordinating directional reaction and counter-reaction decisions to the very rapid lateral movements routinely made by their opponents during a game. Despite the importance of this executive skill to successful on-field performance, it has not been studied in football players. To fill this void, we compared the performances of Division I college football players (n = 525) and their non-athlete age counterparts (n = 40) in a motion-based stimulus-response compatibility task that assessed their proficiency at executing either compatible (in the same direction) or incompatible (in the opposite direction) lateralized reactions to a target's lateral motion. We added an element of decision uncertainty and complexity by giving them either sufficient or insufficient time to preload the response decision rule (i.e., compatible vs. incompatible) prior to the target setting in motion. Overall, football players were significantly faster than non-athlete controls in their choice reactions to a target's lateral motion. The reactions of all participants slowed when issuing incompatible counter-reactions to a target's lateral motion. For football players, this cost was reduced substantially compared to controls when given insufficient time to preload the decision rule, indicating that they exerted more efficient executive control over their reactions and counter-reactions when faced with decision uncertainty at the onset of stimulus motion. We consider putative sources of their advantage in reacting to a target's lateral motion and discuss how these findings advance the hypothesis that football players utilize highly-proficient executive control systems to overcome processing conflicts during motor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Wylie
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Brandon A Ally
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Nelleke C van Wouwe
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Joseph S Neimat
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Wery P M van den Wildenberg
- Department of Psychology/Amsterdam Brain and Cognition (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Theodore R Bashore
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,School of Psychological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
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