Sex and Sport-Specific Differences on Baseline Concussion Balance Test Performance in Division-I Collegiate Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Assessing baseline balance is crucial for concussion management in athletes.
• The Concussion Balance Test (COBALT©) offers a method to evaluate balance performance.
• Understanding factors influencing baseline balance can refine concussion protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing baseline balance performance in collegiate athletes using the Concussion Balance Test (COBALT©).
• To investigate the impact of sex, sport, and concussion history on balance metrics.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 127 NCAA Division-I collegiate athletes.
• Collected data on postural sway and errors across four COBALT conditions.
• Analyzed the influence of independent variables: sport, sex, concussion history, and time since last concussion.

Main Results:

• Female athletes exhibited significantly greater postural sway and more errors compared to male athletes.
• Cheerleaders and soccer players showed more errors than football players in specific COBALT conditions.
• Concussion history and time since last concussion did not significantly affect balance performance.

Conclusions:

• The COBALT© effectively measures balance, providing insights into baseline performance.
• Sex and sport are significant factors influencing baseline balance in collegiate athletes.
• Clinicians should consider individual athlete characteristics when interpreting COBALT baseline results for concussion management.