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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
11:32
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
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Visuo-oculomotor Function and Reaction Times in Athletes with and without Concussion
Graham D Cochrane, Jennifer B Christy1, Anwar Almutairi1
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Summary
Concussion impairs saccadic eye movements, specifically reaction time and accuracy. While saccadic latency is a reliable indicator post-concussion, smooth pursuit and saccadic accuracy show poor reliability for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Medicine
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Concussion frequently impacts oculomotor function, affecting smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for developing concussion diagnostic and prognostic tools.
- Identifying specific oculomotor deficits aids in understanding concussion pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare oculomotor function in concussed versus healthy collegiate athletes.
- To determine the test-retest reliability of oculomotor measurement tools.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 87 healthy athletes and 28 concussed athletes (aged 18-24) from a Division 1 university.
- Administered a 30-minute vestibular ocular testing battery using a rotary chair and 100-Hz eye-tracking goggles.
- Assessed test-retest reliability with 43 participants completing the battery twice; analyzed data using bivariate statistics and intraclass coefficients.
Main Results:
- Concussed athletes exhibited significantly longer saccadic, visual, and dual-task reaction times and reduced saccadic accuracy.
- No significant difference in optokinetic reflex gain was observed, though tolerance was low in concussed individuals.
- Moderate test-retest reliability was found for reaction time latencies and optokinetic gain; smooth pursuit and saccadic accuracy showed poor reliability.
Conclusions:
- Saccadic latency is the most sensitive and reliable oculomotor indicator of change following concussion.
- Saccadic accuracy is significantly impaired post-concussion but lacks test-retest reliability.
- Optokinetic gain warrants further investigation due to its high reliability and symptom provocation, despite non-significant group differences.
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