Citation

Ritchie EV, Emery C, Debert CT. Brain Inj. 2018; 32(4): 523-528.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2018.1429662

PMID

29400570

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between acute serum cortisol following pediatric sport-related concussion (SRC) and clinical outcome measures of symptom burden and length to return to sport (RTS) Methods: Prospective observational study of ice hockey players ages 11-12 recruited prior to the hockey season. Players sustaining a SRC were assessed by a sports medicine physician completed a child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 (childSCAT-3) and serum cortisol samples.

RESULTS: Of 636 ice hockey players enrolled, 41 sustained a SRC. In total, 22 serum cortisol samples were collected, with 14 (63.6%) meeting inclusion criteria. Four players presented with abnormally low cortisol and were more likely to experienced more symptoms (17.8 ± 1.9 vs. 7.5 ± 6.0) more severe symptoms (28.5 ± 5.8 vs. 10.2. ±8.8) and took longer RTS (23 ± 13.6 vs. 14.0.7 ± 7.9.).

CONCLUSION: Paediatric ice hockey players following SRC with abnormally low cortisol may be more susceptible to experiencing increase symptom burden and take longer to return to sport than players with population-based normal cortisol.

Language: en

Keywords

Fluid biomarkers; athletes; cortisol; neuroendocrine dysfunction; sport-related concussion