Citation

Mulligan I, Boland M, Payette J. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2012; 42(7): 625-632.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2519/jospt.2012.3798

PMID

22531476

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of neurocognitive and balance deficits in collegiate football players 48 hours following competition. BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive testing, balance assessments, and subjective report of symptoms are a commonly used test battery in examining athletes when concussion is suspected. Previous literature suggests many concussions go unreported. Little research exists examining the prevalence of neurocognitive or balance deficits in athletes who do not report concussion-like symptoms to a health care provider. METHODS: Forty-five Division IA Collegiate football players participated in this study. Preseason baseline scores using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), and the Post Concussion Symptom Score were compared to posttest results obtained 48 hours following a game. Prevalence of symptoms were analyzed and reported. RESULTS: Thirty-Two of the 45 (71%) athletes tested demonstrated at least one deficit in either the Post Concussion Symptom Score, BESS, or at least one composite score of the ImPACT. Nineteen of the 32 subjects demonstrated a change in two or more categories of neurocognitive and balance function. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of subjects who were tested 48 hours following the last game of the season and did not seek medical attention related to a concussion, a significant number of football players demonstrated limitations in neurocognitive and balance performance suggesting further research needs to be performed to improve recognition of an athlete's deficits and improve the ability to assess concussion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 24 April 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3798.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en