The relationship between neurocognitive function and noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
BACKGROUND
Biomechanical analyses suggest that the loss of neuromuscular control is associated with noncontact anterior cruciate ligament sprains; however, previous research has not explored the link between neurocognitive function and unintentional knee injuries.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if athletes who suffer a noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury demonstrate decreased baseline neurocognitive performance when compared with matched controls.


METHODS
Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.


METHODS
The baseline scores from a computerized neurocognitive test battery (ImPACT) were analyzed to compare verbal memory, visual memory, processing speed, and reaction time. Eighty intercollegiate athletes who, subsequent to testing, experienced noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, were matched with 80 controls based on height, weight, age, gender, sport, position, and years of experience at the collegiate level.


RESULTS
Statistical differences were found between the noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury group and the matched controls on all 4 neurocognitive subtests. Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament-injured athletes demonstrated significantly slower reaction time (F(1,158) = 9.66, P = .002) and processing speed (F(1,158) = 12.04, P = .001) and performed worse on visual (F(1,158) = 19.16, P = .000) and verbal memory (F(1,158) = 4.08, P = .045) composite scores when compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurocognitive differences may be associated with the loss of neuromuscular control and coordination errors, predisposing certain intercollegiate athletes to noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Swanik
Charles Buz
CB
Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. cswanik@udel.edu
Covassin
Tracey
T
Stearne
David J
DJ
Schatz
Philip
P
D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States