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The Effects of Clinical, and Sub‐Clinical mTBI on Cognitive Function in Varsity Athletes
Author(s) -
Brewer Danielle,
Wilson Timothy,
Owen Adrian
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.706.1
Subject(s) - concussion , cognition , athletes , psychology , cognitive test , clinical psychology , test (biology) , affect (linguistics) , traumatic brain injury , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , poison control , medicine , injury prevention , psychiatry , medical emergency , paleontology , communication , biology
Emerging research suggests that head trauma, causing clinical (medically diagnosed, ie. concussion), or sub‐clinical minor Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is cumulative and correlates negatively with cognitive function. Given the high prevalence of head trauma in contact athletics, better understanding the relationship between contact‐athletic activity, mTBI, and independent aspects of cognitive function is imperative. Sixty‐eight varsity football athletes were recruited to examine how cumulative head trauma and self‐reported mTBI affect cognitive function. Participants completed a 12‐test online cognitive battery ( www2.cbstrials.com ) at time points prior to, bi‐weekly throughout, and after the season. With each cognitive test, participants also completed a personal history questionnaire to assess their ongoing athletic activity and mTBI status. Through assessing three distinct aspects of cognitive function (verbal ability, short‐term memory, and reasoning ability) via the cognitive battery in a longitudinal fashion, we will comprehensively examine the effects of contact athletic participation on independent aspects of cognitive function. Results look to better characterize the relationship between mTBI and cognitive function as well as inform sport decisions made by athletes, recreationalists and athletic governance councils to guide participation and safe play decisions.