Tracking developmental trajectories on neurocognitive testing in young athletes ages 5–12

• Published in: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51; no. 11; pp. A21 - A22
• Main Authors: Schatz, Philip, Ferris, Charles
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.06.2017
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097270.54

ObjectiveDespite increased attention to sports-related concussion, there is a lack of research on younger athletes. The purpose of this study was to establish developmental trajectories on neurocognitive testing in younger athletes ages 5 to 12.DesignPre-Test Only Design.SettingMulti-site study from numerous locations in the Eastern USA and Canada.ParticipantsA total of 788 youth athletes, 73% male, assigned to groups on the basis of age: Ages 5–6 (N=128), Ages 7–8 (N=282), Ages 9–10 (N=284), Ages 11–12 (N=94).InterventionAn iPad-based Paediatric version of the ImPACT test was administered individually to participants in a quiet office setting.Outcome measuresAccuracy scores were documented on: Word List Learning (Immediate, Delayed, Recognition); and accuracy and timing scores on Design Rotation, Choice Reaction Time, Visual Sequencing and Visual Memory.Main resultsOne-way ANOVAs with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, and Scheffé post-hoc comparisons were conducted between age groups on the dependent measures. All measures showed statistically significant changes (p< 0.001) across the developmental age groups, with better performance in older participants and lower performance in younger participants.ConclusionsYouth athletes between the ages of 5 and 12 are underrepresented with respect to age-appropriate assessment measures, and these results document the need for developmentally- and age-appropriate measures and normative data, in order to capture neurocognitive change across developmental stages.Competing interestsDr. Schatz serves on the ImPACT Scientific Advisory Board.None.