title: Working memory capacity among collegiate student athletes: effects of sport-related head contacts, concussions, and working memory demands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure working memory capacity among a cohort of collegiate athletes and to compare results between athletes competing in head-contact-prone sports with those not subject to repeated head contacts. A secondary objective was to determine the effect of sport-related concussion on working memory capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambidirectional cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Athletics department at an American university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student athletes competing in various sports.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Automated operation span test scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Working memory capacity is not impaired in student athletes who participate in head-contact-prone sports or in student athletes with a history of diagnosed concussion, even those who are multiconcussed. Our results suggest that athletes competing in sports that impose significant working memory loading score higher on the automated operation span test than do other athletes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is required to determine the value of measuring working memory capacity in acutely concussed, symptomatic athletes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY 10570, USA. lmayers@pace.edu
authors.forename: Lester B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mayers
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Redick
authors.forename: Sheila H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chiffriller
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Terraforte
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities