Citation

Ramautar SA, Prangley AA, Cinelli ME. Brain Inj. 2017; 31(13-14): 1882-1888.

Affiliation

a Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , ON , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2017.1346292

PMID

28816519

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess cognitive performance differences pre- and post-exercise in individuals without concussion (non-concussed, NC) and individuals with post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

METHODS: A total of 30 participants completed a choice reaction time (CRT) task in the form of an iPad application, measuring each individual's decision-making capabilities, while wearing a head-mounted eye tracker system. Participants completed four blocks of testing; the time interval between the first two blocks of trials and the last two blocks of trials was 10 minutes. Between the completion of block 2 and the start of block 3, the participants completed a 15-minute bout of exercise.

RESULTS: Individuals with PCS at rest and following exercise displayed greater average reaction time (RT) (p<.01), lower overall accuracy (p<.01) and shorter final fixation durations (p<.05) than NC. Combined influence of learning and exercise resulted in a significant difference (p<.05) in RT from block 1 to block 3 and block 1 to block 4.

CONCLUSION: Persistent concussion-based symptoms may be indicative of deficits in higher-level cognitive processing, as indicated by both decreased CRT performance and differences in gaze behaviours between groups. Therefore, individuals with PCS may not elicit appropriate decisions when navigating through an environment, potentially leading to further risk of injury.

Language: en

Keywords

Choice reaction time task; collision avoidance; decision making; gaze behaviours; moderate exercise intensity; post-concussion syndrome