title: The relationship between neurocognitive function and noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. cswanik@udel.edu
authors: Charles Buz
authors: CB
authors: Swanik
authors: Tracey
authors: T
authors: Covassin
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Stearne
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Schatz
mesh_terms: 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