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A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
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Dynamic stability and steering control following a sport-induced concussion
Kaley C Powers1, Jayne M Kalmar1, Michael E Cinelli1
1Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Gait & Posture
|November 16, 2013
Summary
Concussions disrupt balance control, with athletes showing persistent gait instability and conservative strategies even after medical clearance. This dynamic instability impacts temporal gait characteristics, affecting return to play readiness.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Concussion commonly causes balance control loss, but detecting impairment duration is task-dependent.
- Existing balance assessments often fail to challenge dynamic control adequately.
- Changing direction is a key perturbation for assessing balance control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of concussion on dynamic stability and steering control.
- To compare balance control in concussed athletes during acute and return-to-play phases versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Nine concussed (CONC) and nine control (CTRL) intercollegiate football players participated.
- Participants performed a steering task involving straight walking and turning (45°/60°).
- Measures included swing time variability, segmental re-orientation variability, and dynamic stability margins.
Main Results:
- Concussed athletes exhibited increased swing time and segmental re-orientation variability.
- Concussed athletes showed prolonged time to reach minimum lateral dynamic stability margins.
- These gait variability differences persisted even after medical clearance for return to play.
Conclusions:
- Concussion impairs dynamic stability and steering control, leading to conservative gait strategies.
- Temporal gait control deficits persist post-concussion, impacting return to play.
- Dynamic balance assessments are crucial for evaluating concussion recovery.
