•  
  •  
 

COMPARING BEFORE-AND AFTER-SCHOOL NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Morgan Anderson, Sam Mohler, Melissa Anderson, R.J. Elbin

Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation/Office for Sport Concussion Research, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Sport-related concussion (SRC) requires a multifaceted assessment and management approach that relies on computerized neurocognitive (CNT) assessments as an objective complement to subjective symptom reporting. Previous literature has identified several factors that negatively influence CNT performance and may complicate post-injury assessment. One factor is cognitive fatigue from the academic school day. The cognitive demands from an academic school day should be considered, and optimal timing for CNT assessment is unknown. PURPOSE: This study compared before-and after-school CNT performance in a sample of non-concussed high school athletes. METHODS: A randomized crossover design was used for this study. After receiving University IRB approval, 29 high school athletes completed CNT both before and after school. A series of paired samples t-tests were conducted for each CNT outcome score (verbal and visual memory, reaction time, processing speed) for both time points. Statistical significance was set at a Bonferroni-corrected (p < .01). RESULTS: Significant differences for visual memory and reaction time were documented across time points. Visual memory (p = .008) was significantly better before school (86.14 ± 11.01) than after-school (81.57 ± 12.14) and reaction time (p = .001) was significantly slower before-school (0.60 ± 0.07) than after-school (0.57 ± 0.06). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that time of day and the demands of a school day should be considered when determining the optimal timing for CNT assessments. More research is needed to determine the best time to administer CNT and examine the mechanisms for which the time of day and cognitive fatigue, from a school day, may impact CNT assessment scores.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS