Abstract
ObjectiveEvaluate differences in preseason cervical spine, vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic balance, and divided attention measures in competitive youth ice hockey players who report a previous concussion compared to those who do not.DesignThis study was a secondary analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies conducted in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from 2011 to 2018.SettingYouth ice hockey arenas in Alberta, Canada.ParticipantsUninjured male and female youth ice hockey players, aged 10 – 18 years.Assessment of Risk FactorsSelf-reported previous history of concussion.Outcome MeasuresScores on measures of the cervical spine [Cervical Flexor Endurance (sec), Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test (normal/abnormal), Anterolateral Cervical Spine Strength (lbs), Head Perturbation Test (/8) and Joint Position Error (cm)], vestibulo-ocular reflex [Dynamic Visual Acuity (LogMAR), Head Thrust Test (Positive/Negative)], dynamic balance [Functional Gait Assessment (/30)] and divided attention [Walking-while-talking test (sec)].Main ResultsA total of 2311 participants were included in this study [87.19% male (n=2015), 12.81% female (n=296), 38.96% reported a previous concussion (n=785)]. Using multivariable linear or logistic regression analyses (appropriate for each outcome), adjusting for age-group, sex, level of play, and clustered by team, there were no differences by concussion history in any of the measures. Descriptive statistics appeared to demonstrate differences by sex and age in some measures.ConclusionsConcussion history was unrelated to measures of cervical function in youth ice hockey players. Further prospective research involving incident cases across other sports is warranted to better understand how a history of concussion may affect scores on these outcome measures.