title: Transient suppression of heart rate complexity in concussed athletes.
abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) and complexity (HRC) were calculated at rest and during an isometric hand grip test (IHGT) within 48-hours (48 h) and two weeks (Week Two) of a concussion in athletes (CG) and control subjects. No differences were present at rest or in HRV during IGHT. HRC was significantly lower in the CG compared to controls at 48 h during IHGT. In CG at Week Two during IHGT, HRC was significantly greater than 48 h observations and not significantly different than controls. The findings suggest that HRC may have utility in detecting efferent cardiac autonomic anomalies within two weeks of concussion.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence on the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA. Michael.LaFountaine@va.gov
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: La Fountaine
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Heffernan
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gossett
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: De Meersman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult