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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
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A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
13.2K
Peripheral Vestibular and Balance Function in Athletes With and Without Concussion.
Jennifer B Christy1, Graham D Cochrane, Anwar Almutairi
1Department of Physical Therapy (J.B.C., G.D.C., A.A.), Department of Optometry and Vision Science (C.B., M.W.S., K.K.W.), and Vision Science Research Center (C.B.), University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy : JNPT
|June 18, 2019
Summary
Sport-related concussion (SRC) impacts vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) cancellation and postural control, but not peripheral vestibular function. These findings help define concussion testing protocols for athletes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sports Medicine
- Vestibular Science
Background:
- Comprehensive neurological examinations are recommended for suspected sport-related concussion (SRC).
- Specific vestibular and balance tests for SRC assessment are not standardized.
- Reliability and comparative data are needed for these tests in athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate test-retest reliability and normative data for vestibular and balance tests in athletes without SRC.
- Compare test performance between athletes with and without SRC.
- Identify specific subtests suitable for concussion testing protocols.
Main Methods:
- Recruited healthy athletes (n=87) and athletes with SRC (n=28).
- Administered rotary chair, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP), and Sensory Organization Test (SOT).
- Assessed test-retest reliability on a subset (n=43).
Main Results:
- Test-retest reliability varied from poor to strong.
- No significant differences were found in peripheral vestibular function (rotary chair, c-VEMP) between groups.
- Athletes with SRC showed significantly worse performance in vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) cancellation gain, subjective visual vertical, and all SOT conditions.
Conclusions:
- Sport-related concussion (SRC) does not affect medium-frequency VOR or saccular function.
- SRC impairs the utilization of vestibular input for vertical perception and postural control.
- Specific tests assessing VOR cancellation and postural control are valuable for SRC assessment.
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