title: Does Game Participation Impact Cognition and Symptoms in Elite Football Players?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure neurocognitive functioning in college and professional football players after game participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, cross-sectional cohort design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four male university and professional football players.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants completed Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) testing at baseline, and either at postconcussion (group 1) or postgame (group 2) participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results from the 5 ImPACT composite scores (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time and Impulse Control) and Total Symptom Score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated a significant main effect for time (improvements) in 3 of 5 domains for the postconcussion group, but no improvements in the postgame group. The postconcussion group presented with significantly improved results on 4 of 5 ImPACT domains compared with the postgame group at the follow-up time interval.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in a football game with potential cumulative head contacts did not yield increased symptoms or cognitive impairment. However, the absence of improvement in cognitive functioning in noninjured football players, which was found in those players who were returned to play after an injury, may suggest that there is a measureable impact as a result of playing football.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; †Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada; ‡Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; and §Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mrazik
authors.forename: Dhiren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naidu
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068958:Return to Sport / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult