title: Neuropsychological factors related to college ice hockey concussions.
abstract: We analyzed data from 74 male collegiate hockey players. Each athlete's season began with a baseline administration of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) neuropsychology test battery. Fourteen athletes sustained a sport-related head injury and were readministered the test to assess the impact of the injury. A significant decrease in performance (compared to baseline) on immediate and delayed word recall and designs followed the first concussion. Following a second sport-related concussion, the 4 affected athletes showed significant decrease in visual motor speed. Performance improved on 2 response speed measures (Ps < .01). More errors occurred during a visual processing/discrimination task and immediate recall of designs declined (Ps < .05). We discuss the results in light of recent work related to the impact of early-life concussions and head injury on late-life consequences, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and more immediate issues such as return-to-play decisions for athletes.
authors.affiliation: 1Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: F Richard
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Himle
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poolman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006688:Hockey; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognition; concussion; head injury; ice hockey; impact; sports