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Updated: Oct 17, 2026
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Persistent Choice reaction-time slowing in collegiate athletes with a history of concussion
Amin Mohammadi1, Joshua T Lawton1, Eric Schussler1
1Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether collegiate athletes with a history of concussion exhibit persistent reaction-time deficits after accounting for SCAT6-based memory/concentration measures and computerized neurocognitive domain scores.
Methods:
547 NCAA Division I athletes completed computerized neurocognitive testing, SCAT6-based symptom and cognitive assessments, and balance evaluations. Propensity-score matching produced 138 athletes with concussion history matched to 138 controls. Four RT outcomes were analyzed: Choice RT, Simple RT, Stroop RT, and Shifting-Attention RT. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) examined group differences controlling for SCAT6-based memory and concentration measures and CNS Vital Signs cognitive domain scores.
Results:
Athletes with a prior concussion demonstrated significantly slower Choice RT both before adjustment (p = 0.019) and after controlling for all covariates (p = 0.006). No significant group differences emerged for Simple RT, Stroop RT, or Shifting-Attention RT (all p 0 > .53). Executive function, cognitive flexibility, and visual memory showed consistent associations with RT performance across outcomes.
Conclusion:
History of concussion is selectively associated with persistent slowing in Choice RT, independent of SCAT6-based memory and concentration measures and CNS Vital Signs cognitive domain scores. Choice RT may be a sensitive marker of subtle neurocognitive slowing and may help inform both post-concussion assessment and rehabilitation planning.
