title: A prospective investigation of changes in the sensorimotor system following sports concussion. An exploratory study.
abstract: Sports concussion is a risk for players involved in high impact, collision sports. Post-concussion, the majority of symptoms subside within 7-10 days, but can persist in 10-20% of athletes. Understanding the effects of sports concussion on sensorimotor systems could inform physiotherapy treatment.
  
  
  
  To explore changes in sensorimotor function in the acute phase following sports concussion.
  
  
  
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  
  Fifty-four players from elite rugby union and league teams were assessed at the start of the playing season. Players who sustained a concussion were assessed three to five days later. Measures included assessments of balance (sway velocity), vestibular system function (vestibular ocular reflex gain; right-left asymmetry), cervical proprioception (joint position error) and trunk muscle size and function.
  
  
  
  During the playing season, 14 post-concussion assessments were performed within 3-5 days of injury. Significantly decreased sway velocity and increased size/contraction of trunk muscles, were identified. Whilst not significant overall, large inter-individual variation of test results for cervical proprioception and the vestibular system was observed.
  
  
  
  The number of players who sustained a concussion was not large, but numbers were comparable with other studies in this field. There was missing baseline data for vestibular and cervical proprioception testing for some players.
  
  
  
  Preliminary findings post-concussion suggest an altered balance strategy and trunk muscle control with splinting/over-holding requiring consideration as part of the development of appropriate physiotherapy management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia. Electronic address: Julie.hides@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hides
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Melinda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Franettovich Smith
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, Mater Health Services, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia.
authors.forename: M Dilani
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mendis
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Nigel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treleaven
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2310, Australia; Hunter New England Local Health District Sports Concussion Program, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCrory
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4014, Australia.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Low Choy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D001315:Australia; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Balance; Cervical proprioception; Motor control; Rugby; Trunk muscles; Vestibular system