Examining Motor Tasks of Differing Complexity After Concussion in Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Concussion can lead to motor impairments affecting balance and gait.
• Dual-tasking (performing a motor task and a cognitive task simultaneously) may reveal subtle deficits not apparent during single-task conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of concussion on motor tasks of varying complexity, both alone and with a cognitive load.
• To investigate the relationship between self-reported balance problems and objective measures of gait, quiet stance, and dual-task performance in concussed adolescents.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving adolescent athletes diagnosed with concussion and healthy controls.
• Participants completed single-task and dual-task walking and standing protocols, with gait speed, postural sway (RMS), and cognitive accuracy measured.
• Concussion group stratified based on subjective balance reports for comparison with objective metrics.

Main Results:

• Concussed athletes exhibited slower dual-task gait speeds compared to controls (0.83 vs 0.92 m/s).
• Quiet stance sway (coronal and sagittal planes) did not significantly differ between groups during dual-tasking.
• Adolescents with concussion reporting balance problems showed significantly higher dual-task gait speed costs (-25% vs -19%).

Conclusions:

• Adolescents with concussion display impaired dual-task gait speed but maintained quiet stance stability relative to controls.
• Complex motor tasks, particularly those involving dual-tasking, are more sensitive in detecting concussion-related motor deficits.
• Subjective balance complaints in concussed adolescents are associated with objective dual-task gait impairments.