scholarly journals Return to play following a sports concussion: The “added value” of post-exertion assessment

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (23 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S7.3-S8
Author(s):  
Veronik Sicard ◽  
Jean-Christophe Lortie ◽  
Robert Davis Moore ◽  
Dave Ellemberg

Decision of return to play (RTP) after a concussion is critical given the potential consequences of premature RTP. Athletes should not be cleared for full contact activity until they demonstrate normal cognitive functioning on both rest and post-exertion assessments. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine post-exertion cognitive performance in asymptomatic collegiate athletes who were cleared to return-to-play. Twenty-two recently concussed athletes who completed step 4 of Zurich's RTP protocol and 39 teammate controls participated in the study. They completed a Switch task before and after an acute bout of moderate cardiovascular exercise (80%–85% maximal predicted maximal heart rate for 20-minute) on an ergocycle. Based on their performance on both conditions (Rest, Post-exertion), concussed athletes were categorized into the Pass or Fail group. Specifically, they were placed in the Fail group if their performance was 2 SD lower than the control group's average score. A χ2 test was used to test for equality of proportions between conditions. Although, the proportion of athletes categorized in the Fail group was higher in post-exercise (31.82%) relative to rest (22.73%), it did not reach statistical significance (χ2 = 0.20, p = 0.66). Irrespective of condition, 45% of concussed athletes were categorized in the Fail group. Of these, 10% failed on both conditions, 13% failed on rest only, and 22% failed on post-exercise. The current study suggests that 1 out of 2 athletes who successfully completed the RTP protocol exhibited diminished cognitive functions compared to controls. The use of a sensitive cognitive test, combined with physical exertion, can prevent premature RTP in identifying athletes would have otherwise received medical clearance.

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 856-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna K. Broshek ◽  
Tanya Kaushik ◽  
Jason R. Freeman ◽  
David Erlanger ◽  
Frank Webbe ◽  
...  

Object. Females comprise an increasing percentage of the athlete population across all age groups, and analysis of recent literature reveals that they sustain more concussions in collegiate sports. Results of human and animal studies indicate that females may have poorer outcomes after traumatic brain injury; however, no return-to-play guideline takes sex or other individual differences into account. In the present study the authors evaluated the influence of patient sex on objective neurocognitive performance and subjective reporting of symptoms following sports-related concussion. Methods. According to preseason baseline neurocognitive computerized testing in 2340 male and female high school and collegiate athletes, individuals who sustained sports-related concussions (155 persons) were reevaluated using an alternate form of the cognitive test. Sex differences in the magnitude of cognitive change from baseline levels and the subjective experience of symptoms were analyzed. To account for the possible protective effects of helmets, comparisons were performed among females, males with helmets, and males without helmets; none of the female athletes wore helmets. Female athletes had significantly greater declines in simple and complex reaction times relative to preseason baseline levels, and they reported more postconcussion symptoms compared with males. As a group, females were cognitively impaired approximately 1.7 times more frequently than males following concussions. Furthermore, females experienced more objective and subjective adverse effects from concussion even after adjusting for the use of helmets by some groups of male athletes (for example, in football). Conclusions. Return-to-play decisions and concussion management must be objective and made on an individual basis, including consideration of factors such as patient sex rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all guideline.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 791-791
Author(s):  
V Sicard ◽  
G Caron ◽  
R D Moore ◽  
D Ellemberg

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether varsity athletes with a history of concussions (6+ months from injury) show post-exertion cognitive alterations relative to their control counterparts. Methods Sixty-eight participants (34 with a HOC; 34 carefully-matched teammate controls) participated in this study. The research protocol consisted of a 20-min exertion protocol on stationary bike at 80% (80.98 ± 2.44%) of their theoretical maximal heart rate. Following physical exertion, they performed an experimental Switch task designed to assess executive functions. A series of one-way ANOVAs were performed to compare accuracy (Acc) and response time (RT) between HOC and control athletes on the Switch task. Since the study population was assumed to be heterogeneous, we ran chi-squared tests to determine if there was a group difference in the proportion of participants who underperformed by having a score that was at least 2SD higher (RT) or lower (Acc) than the mean. Results Whilst no significant group difference in performance on the Switch task, the chi-squared test revealed that significantly more HOC athletes (20.6%) underperformed relative to the controls based on their Acc (2.9%; Pearson χ²=5.10, p=0.02). chi-squared test for RT was not significant and no athlete failed both an Acc and RT. Conclusion Although the current results did not support our initial hypothesis that an acute bout of exercise would reveal persistent alterations that were not present at rest, they are in line with previous research indicating cognitive alterations in a minority of athletes (one in five) who sustained a concussion, despite reporting being asymptomatic and be actively participating in their sports. They also highlight the importance of considering inter-individual differences in recovery trajectories with heterogeneous population such as concussed athletes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Arazi ◽  
Parvin Babaei ◽  
Makan Moghimi ◽  
Abbas Asadi

Abstract Background Regarding an important effects of physical exercise on brain function in elders, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of strength and endurance exercise on brain neurobiological factors in older men. Methods Thirty older men volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to strength, endurance and control groups. The subjects in strength group performed two circuits of resistance exercise (6 exercises with 10 repetition of 65–70% of one repetition maximum), while endurance group performed 30 min running with 65–70% of maximal heart rate. Blood was obtained pre and post-exercise to determine changes in serum BDNF, IGF-1 and platelets. Results After exercise, both the strength and endurance groups showed significant increases in serum BDNF and IGF-1 concentrations and platelets at post-exercise and in comparison to control group (p < 0.05). In addition, no statistically significant differences were detected between the strength and endurance groups at post-exercise. Conclusion Our findings indicate that both the strength and endurance interventions are effective in elevating BDNF, IGF-1, and platelets, without significant differences between them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0012
Author(s):  
Scott Thomas Watson ◽  
Amy Trammell ◽  
Stephanie Tanner ◽  
Rebecca Snider ◽  
Steven Martin ◽  
...  

Objectives: There is a general consensus that Jones fractures should be treated operatively with an intramedullary screw in high-level athletes. However, there is disagreement among team physicians, without conclusive evidence as to when the athlete should be allowed to return to play. The objective of this study is to report our experience of early return to sport in collegiate athletes after intramedullary screw fixation of Jones Fractures. Methods: All skeletally mature collegiate athletes with a true Jones fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal that was treated by one of two orthopaedic surgeons with operative intramedullary screw fixation over a 23 year period (1994-2016) were identified and records reviewed retrospectively. All return to play and complication data was obtained from the athletic trainer database at the two universities. Fixation consisted of a single intramedullary screw (10 partially threaded cannulated screws, 13 cannulated variable pitch screws, 3 solid screws). The athletes were allowed to weight bear as tolerated in a CAM boot immediately postoperatively, and return to play with a carbon fiber insert as soon as they could tolerate activity. In 2016, patients were contacted to complete patient reported outcome scores that included the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score and a brief survey specific to our study, as well as follow-up radiographs if possible. Results: 26 Jones Fractures were treated in 25 collegiate athletes. The average age was 20 years (18-23). Overall, athletes returned to play or training at an average of 3.5 weeks (1.5-6). All in-season athletes returned to play within 4.5 weeks (1.5-4.5). Off-season athletes returned to play within 4-6 weeks. There were no cases of nonunion (clinically or radiographically). Three screws were removed due to symptomatic skin irritation. There was one re-fracture following screw removal after documented radiographic and clinical fracture union. This patient was treated with repeat cannulated percutaneous screw fixation. The athlete returned to play in 2 weeks. One screw was noted to be broken on an ankle radiograph 1 year post-op, but the fracture was healed and the athlete was playing division 1 sports without symptoms, and continued professionally without symptoms. 18/25 athletes completed patient reported outcome scores at an average of 7.95 years (range 1.2-17) follow-up. The average estimated percent of normal for activities of daily living was 93.8% (70-100%, and for athletic participation was 90.3% (40-100%). Follow up radiographs were obtained on 13/26 fractures at an average of 6.48 years (range 1.2-16) with no nonunion, malunion, or additional hardware complications identified. Conclusion: Athletes with Jones fractures can safely be allowed to return to play after intramedullary screw fixation as soon as their symptoms allow without significant complications. In our experience, this is usually within 4 weeks from injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manojkumar Choudhary ◽  
Roma Solomon ◽  
Jitendra Awale ◽  
Rina Dey ◽  
Jagajeet Prasad Singh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A social mobilization (SM) initiative contributed to India’s success in polio elimination. This was the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) India, a partner of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) SM Network and which continued its SM activities, even during the polio-free period through a network of multi-level social mobilizers. This paper assesses the effects of this community-level SM (CLSM) intervention on the extent of community engagement and performance of polio Supplementary Immunization Activity campaigns (SIAs) during the post-polio-endemic period (i.e., from March 2012 to September 2017). Methods This study followed a quasi-experimental design. We used secondary, cluster-level data from CGPP India’s Management Information System, including 52 SIAs held from January 2008 to September 2017, covering 56 blocks from 12 districts of UP. We computed various indicators and performed Generalized Estimating Equations based analysis to assess the statistical significance of differences between the outcomes of intervention and non-intervention areas. We then estimated the effects of the SM intervention using Interrupted time-series, Difference-in-Differences and Synthetic Control Methods. Finally, we estimated the population influenced by the intervention. Results The performance of polio SIAs changed over time, with the intervention areas having better outcomes than non-intervention areas. The absence of CLSM intervention during the post-polio-endemic period would have negatively impacted the outcomes of polio SIAs. The percentage of children vaccinated at polio SIA booths, percentage of ‘X’ houses (i.e., households with unvaccinated children or households with out-of-home/out-of-village children or locked households) converted to ‘P’ (i.e., households with all vaccinated children or households without children eligible for vaccination), and percentage of resistant houses converted to polio acceptors would have gone down by 14.1 (Range: 12.7 to 15.5), 6.3 (Range: 5.2 to 7.3) and 7.4 percentage points, respectively. Community engagement would have reduced by 7.2 (Range: 6.6 to 7.7) percentage points. Conclusions The absence of CLSM intervention would have significantly decreased the level of community engagement and negatively impacted the performance of polio SIAs of the post-polio-endemic period. The study provides evidence of an added value of deploying additional human resource dedicated to social mobilization to achieve desired vaccination outcomes in hard-to-reach or programmatically challenging areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
Angad Yadav ◽  
Tirthankar Chatterjee ◽  
Debojyoti Bhattacharyya ◽  
Somnath Singh ◽  
Madhusudan Pal

Background: In military environment, soldiers regularly practice or undergo different types of extreme training activities. However, globally the literatures available on the physiological and biochemical demand of different extreme military training activities are very scanty and less reported. Aims and Objective: The present study was undertaken to quantify the cardio-respiratory and biochemical responses of military training event in jungle environment. Materials and Methods: Mathew’s Mad Mile (MMM) activity is a type of specialized run of 1.5 mile in jungle environment. This training activity was conducted on rugged jungle terrain comprised of undulated uphill, downhill, muddy surface. Twenty-five SHAPE-1 healthy soldiers were volunteered into training event. Cardiorespiratory data was recorded continuously throughout the event and venous blood sample was drawn before and immediately after completion of the event. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Results: There was no significant difference observed in heart rate and breathing rate while core body temperature was significantly (p = 0.02) higher in slow finisher as compared to fast finisher. In fast finisher, post exercise level of BDNF, BNP, SDH, cortisol and UCP1 increased significantly (p<0.05), whereas, BHB (p<0.01) decreased significantly in comparison to pre-exercise. In slow finishers, post exercise level of cortisol, KYNA and UCP1 increased significantly (p<0.05), whereas, BDNF, BNP and SDH decreased significantly (p<0.05), in comparison to pre-exercise. Conclusion: The outcome of this study indicated that the slow finishers were more susceptible to risk of injury due to higher exercise induced thermogenesis and mental stress in comparison to fast finisher.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-330
Author(s):  
Joe Deutsch ◽  
Roman Waldera

BACKGROUND: One industry affected by the COVID-19 mandated social distancing policies is sport. In the wake of pressures to return to some normalcy, sport leagues have begun a return to play, many of which include regulations additional to the typical athlete and fan experience. Youth, Middle School, and High School sport leagues are of specific interest in America given the currently inconclusive national plan for returning to face-to-face instruction of students at schools. PURPOSE: The current goal is to identify the perceptions and experiences of current sport professionals throughout the country regarding a return to play. METHODS: The participants of this study were 181 Youth and High School Sport Coaches of various sports. The sample contained males (n = 123) and females (n = 58). The age of respondents ranged from 20 or more years of age. A return to play questionnaire was created and used to collect data for this study. The survey consisted of 12 yes or no questions regarding a return to play during the pandemic, with an opportunity for an open-ended explanation for each. Statistical methods employed to conduct data analysis included frequencies to determine percentages. A crosstabs analysis and Pearson Chi-Square tests of association were utilized to identify statistical significance within the variables. FINDING: No statistically significant association was found at the p ≤ .05 level between age or years of coaching experience and any response to a yes/no question. Percentages for high school coaches who responded "Yes" to each question are presented. Due to the wide variety of responses in these open-ended explanations, statistical expressions were not conducted, and an inclusive list of explanations for each question is provided. CONCLUSION: While the research result is unclear, the information obtained from coaches in the current study presents a small illustration of the current perceptions of athletic leaders in this region regarding the return to play of youth sport coaches and their respective schools' policies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma L. Brown ◽  
Michael E. Lean ◽  
Catherine R. Hankey

Direct observation(s) of energy intake (EI) via buffet meals served in the laboratory are often carried out within short-term exercise intervention studies. The reproducibility of values obtained has not been assessed either under resting control conditions or post-exercise, in overweight and obese females. A total of fourteen sedentary, pre-menopausal females (BMI 30·0 (sd5·1) kg/m2) completed four trials; two exercise and two control. Each trial lasted 24 h spanning over 2 d; conducted from afternoon on day 1 and morning on day 2. An exercise session to expend 1·65 MJ was completed on day 1 of exercise trials, and three buffet meals were served during each trial. Reproducibility of post-exercise changes in energy and macronutrient intakes was assessed at each individual buffet meal by intraclass correlation coefficient (ri). Only therivalues for post-exercise changes in energy (ri0·44 (95 % CI − 0·03, 0·77),P = 0·03) and fat intake (ri0·51 (95 % CI 0·04, 0·81),P = 0·02) at the lunch buffet meal achieved statistical significance; however, theserivalues were weak and had large associated 95 % CI, which indicates a large degree of variability associated with these measurements. Energy and macronutrient intakes at the breakfast and evening buffet meals were not reproducible. This study concludes that the frequently used laboratory-based buffet meal method of assessing EI does not produce reliable, reproducible post-exercise changes in EI in overweight and obese women.


CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S100-S101
Author(s):  
A. Robert ◽  
M. Moroz ◽  
D. Var ◽  
J. Correa ◽  
S. Delaney

Introduction: During a hockey game, athletes who are suspected of having sustained a concussion are removed from the game and evaluated. The modified balance error scoring system (MBESS) assessment, an essential part of the concussion evaluation, is performed in the dressing room, barefoot on a hard surface after equipment removal. While, players that pass the concussion assessment may re-dress and return to play, the equipment removal and re-dressing delays their return into the game. The objective of our study was to develop and evaluate a new in-skates balance error scoring system (SBESS) to reduce the delay in returning to the game. Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study was conducted with 80 healthy university hockey players split into two groups. An at-rest group performed the SBESS assessment at rest on two separate occasions. A post-exercise group performed the test once at rest and once after exercise. The SBESS consisted of performing 4 different stances for 20 seconds each without equipment removal. The assessments were video recorded, and 3 independent reviewers scored the videos. For both the at-rest and post-exercise groups, the primary outcome measured was the number of balance errors. The secondary outcome was the number of falls. Statistics: For the primary outcome, both inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were calculated. The concordance between the SBESS and the currently used baseline pre-season balance score (MBESS) was also assessed. Results: The number of cumulative balance errors for all four stances varied between 4 and 7 for both groups without any significant exercise effect. No athletes fell. For inter-rater reliability, the intra-class correlation (ICC) was above 0.86, ranging from 0.86-0.92 for most stances except for the easiest stance, for which it was 0.66. For intra-rater reliability, the ICC ranged from 0.88 to 1 for all stances and raters. There was a lack of concordance between the SBESS and MBESS. Conclusion: The SBESS is a reliable balance test that can be safely performed in healthy athletes wearing their full equipment. The next step will be to evaluate the use of this test on concussed hockey athletes


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1051-1052
Author(s):  
D. Lobo Prat ◽  
B. Magallares ◽  
I. Castellví ◽  
H. Park ◽  
P. Moya ◽  
...  

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with variable clinical features and a complex physiopathology. In 2019, EULAR and ACR have jointly developed new classification criteria with both high sensitivity and specificity. These criteria have the particularity of including the presence of ANA as an obligatory entry criterion and the existence of clinical and immunological domains with weighted scores.Objectives:To evaluate the performance and characteristics of the ACR/EULAR 2019, SLICC 2012 and ACR 1997 classification criteria in a cohort of SLE patients with longstanding disease.Methods:Descriptive observational study that enrolled a cohort of SLE patients with longstanding disease followed in a tertiary level hospital. Demographic and clinical data were gathered along with the fulfillment of classification criteria. The sensitivity of each classification criteria and the statistically significant associations between criteria fulfillment and clinical and immunological data were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi2, T-student and ANOVA tests. Statistical significance was assumed in p values <0.05.Results:A total of 79 patients (88.6% women) with a mean age of 51.8±14 years, disease duration of 15.2±11.5 years and SLEDAI of 2.65±2.1 were included. The sensitivity of the different classification criteria was 51.9% for ACR 1997, 87.3% for SLICC 2012 and 86.1% for ACR/EULAR 2019 (Table 1).Table 1.Sensitivity and average scores.ACR/EULAR 2019SLICC 2012ACR 1997Sensitivity (%)86.187.351.9Average score of patients classified as SLE(±SD)18.6±5.85.3±1.45±0.9Average score of patients NOT classified as SLE(±SD)6.1±2.52.8±0.42.8±0.851.9% of patients met all three classification criteria, 29.1% met SLICC 2012 and ACR/EULAR 2019, 5% only met SLICC 2012 and 3.7% exclusively met ACR/EULAR 2019. 11.4% of patients did not meet any classification criteria and were characterized by having a low SLEDAI (0.6±0.9) and fulfilling only skin domains (alopecia or oral ulcers), antiphospholipid antibodies or hypocomplementemia.Statistically significant associations were found between meeting ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria and the presence of low C3 and C4 (p<0.04), DNA (p<0.001), lupus nephritis III-IV (p<0.05) and arthritis (p<0.001), highlighting that all patients with arthritis met these criteria.In the SLICC 2012 evaluation, significant associations were found between meeting these criteria and the presence of arthritis (p<0.01), renal involvement (p<0.04), leukopenia/lymphopenia (p=0.05), DNA (p<0.03) and hypocomplementemia (p=0.02).Fullfilment of ACR 1997 was associated to the presence of malar rash (p<0.001), discoid lupus (p<0.05), photosensitivity (p<0.001) and oral ulcers (p<0.04), as well as arthritis (p<0.001), serositis (p=0.02), renal (p<0.05) and hematologic (p=0.05) involvement.The Kappa concordance coefficient among classification criteria is detailed in Table 2.Table 2.Kappa concordance coefficient.ACR/EULAR 2019 - SLICC 2012ACR/EULAR 2019 - ACR 1997SLICC 2012 - ACR 1997Kappa concordance coefficient0.610.270.30Conclusion:The ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria maintain a high sensitivity similar to the SLICC 2012 in SLE patients with longstanding disease, both of which are much higher than ACR 1997. Patients with serological, articular or renal involvement are more likely to meet SLICC 2012 or ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria. It is noteworthy the relevance of dermatological manifestations in ACR1997 classification criteria against the increased weight that a better understanding of SLE physiopathology has provided to analytic and immunological criteria in the subsequent classification criteria.Disclosure of Interests:David Lobo Prat: None declared, Berta Magallares: None declared, Ivan Castellví Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Kern Pharma, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, HyeSang Park: None declared, Patricia Moya: None declared, Ignasi Gich: None declared, Ana Laiz: None declared, Cesar Díaz-Torné: None declared, Ana Milena Millán Arciniegas: None declared, Susana P. Fernandez-Sanchez: None declared, Hector Corominas: None declared


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