Abstract Details

Title Age of First Exposure to Football and Neurocognitive Performance Amongst NCAA Student-Athletes

Topic Neuro Trauma, Critical Care, and Sports Neurology

Presentation(s) S8 - Neuro Trauma and Sports Neurology (3:41 PM-3:52 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 002

Background Repetitive head impacts in young athletes are potentially detrimental to later-life neurological function; however, it is unknown what the short-term effects are in collegiate student-athletes.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to tackle football participation on neurocognitive performance and symptom severity scores in collegiate student-athletes.

Design/Methods Neurocognitive performance was assessed using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test in 4,376 male athletes (age=19.3±1.5 years; mass=96.3±20.3 kg; height=185.0±7.4 cm). Athletes were grouped by sport participation (football or non-contact) and eAFE (eAFE<12 or eAFE>12). The outcome measures were the four primary cognitive scores and the symptom severity score from ImPACT. Primary outcomes were assessed across groups, controlling for age, learning accommodations, and concussion history. Generalized linear modeling was used for prediction of each cognitive domain score and the symptom severity score.

Results Neurocognitive performance was not associated with the eAFE-by-group interaction (Verbal Memory, p=0.323; Visual Memory, p=0.198; Visual Motor Speed, p=0.293; Reaction Time, p=0.554). The eAFE-by-group interaction was only a significant predictor of symptom severity scores. For symptom severity, pairwise comparisons suggested that the football, eAFE<12 interaction reported lower severity scores than all other groups (non-contact, eAFE<12: mean difference=-0.97, p<0.001, Cohen's d=0.11; non-contact, eAFE>12: mean difference=-0.92, p<0.001, Cohen's d=0.11; football, eAFE>12: mean difference=-0.56, p<0.001, Cohen's d=0.08). Considering the small effect sizes, these findings are of minimal clinical significance.

Conclusions Our findings indicate that participation in tackle football before age 12 does not result in neurocognitive deficits in college. Therefore, we suggest that either consequences of early exposure to repetitive head impacts do not manifest until later in life, symptoms of neurological impairment progress with increased exposure to repetitive head impacts throughout and beyond collegiate play, or there is no association between earlier eAFE and neurocognitive functioning. Future longitudinal studies are warranted.

Authors/Disclosures
Jaclyn B. Caccese, PhD (The Ohio State University College of Medicine) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Thomas A. Buckley, PhD (University of Delaware)	The institution of Dr. Buckley has received research support from Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. The institution of Dr. Buckley has received research support from NIH/NINDS. Dr. Buckley has received research support from Nevada COBRE. The institution of Dr. Buckley has received research support from NCAA.

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