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Abstract
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CONTEXT: Dynamic balance deficits exist following a concussion, sometimes years after injury. However, clinicians lack practical tools for assessing dynamic balance.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are significant differences in static and dynamic balance performance between individuals with and without a history of concussion.
DESIGN: Cross sectional Setting: Clinical research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five collegiate student-athletes with a history of concussion (Hx) (23 males, 22 females; age=20.0±1.4 years; height=175.8±11.6 cm; mass=76.4±19.2 kg) and 45 matched controls with no history of concussion (23 males, 22 females; age=20.0±1.3 years; height=178.8±13.2 cm; mass=75.7±18.2 kg). Intrventions: Participants completed a static (Balance Error Scoring System) and dynamic (Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter) balance assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A composite score was calculated from the mean normalized Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter reach distances. Firm, foam, and overall errors were counted during the Balance Error Scoring System by a single reliable rater. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare balance performance between groups. Pearson's correlations were performed to determine the relationship between the time since the most recent concussion and balance performance. A Bonferonni adjusted a priori alpha α<0.025 was used for all analyses.
RESULTS: Static and dynamic balance performance did not significantly differ between groups. No significant correlation was found between the time since the most recent concussion and balance performance.
CONCLUSIONS: Collegiate athletes with a history of concussion do not present with static or dynamic balance deficits when measured using clinical assessments. More research is needed to determine whether the Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter is sensitive to acute balance deficits following concussion.
Language: en |