TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Persistent motor system abnormalities in formerly concussed athletes
JO  - Journal of athletic training
A1  - de Beaumont, Louis
A1  - Mongeon, David
A1  - Tremblay, Sebastien
A1  - Messier, Julie
A1  - Prince, Francois
A1  - Leclerc, Suzanne
A1  - Lassonde, Maryse
A1  - Théoret, Hugo
SP  - 234
EP  - 240
VL  - 46
IS  - 3
N2  - CONTEXT: The known detrimental effects of sport concussions on motor system function include balance problems, slowed motor execution, and abnormal motor cortex excitability. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To assess whether these concussion-related alterations of motor system function are still evident in collegiate football players who sustained concussions but returned to competition more than 9 months before testing. <br><br>DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: University laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A group of 21 active, university-level football players who had experienced concussions was compared with 15 university football players who had not sustained concussions. INTERVENTION(S): A force platform was used to assess center-of-pressure (COP) displacement and COP oscillation regularity (approximate entropy) as measures of postural stability in the upright position. A rapid alternating-movement task was also used to assess motor execution speed. Transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex was used to measure long-interval intracortical inhibition and the cortical silent period, presumably reflecting y-aminobutyric acid subtype B receptor-mediated intracortical inhibition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): COP displacement and oscillation regularity, motor execution speed, long-interval intracortical inhibition, cortical silent period. <br><br>RESULTS: Relative to controls, previously concussed athletes showed persistently lower COP oscillation randomness, normal performance on a rapid alternating-movement task, and more M1 intracortical inhibition that was related to the number of previous concussions. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Sport concussions were associated with pervasive changes in postural control and more M1 intracortical inhibition, providing neurophysiologic and behavioral evidence of lasting, subclinical changes in motor system integrity in concussed athletes.    [SafetyLit note: It is unclear from a thorough reading of the body of this article what sport (American Football, Canadian Football, Soccer, etc.) is the topic of this research report.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1062-6050
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -