Contact or Collision Sport History, Repetitive Neurotrauma, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Early to Midadulthood
Date
2023-12-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Athletic Training
Abstract
Context
Data on the early to midlife effects of repetitive neurotrauma on patient-reported outcomes have been delimited to homogeneous samples of male athletes without comparison groups or accounting for modifying factors such as physical activity.
Objective
To determine the effect of contact or collision sport participation and repetitive neurotrauma on patient-reported outcomes among early to middle-aged adults.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Research laboratory.
Patients or Other Participants
A total of 113 adults (53 [46.9%] men, 60 [53.1%] women; age = 34.88 ± 11.80 years) in 4 groups: (1) physically inactive individuals with no repetitive head impact (RHI) exposure (NON); (2) noncontact sport athletes and nonathletes with no RHI exposure who were currently physically active (NCA); (3) former high-risk sport athletes with an RHI history who were physically active (HRS); and (4) former rugby players with prolonged RHI exposure who remained physically active.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
The 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Apathy Evaluation Scale–self-rated version (AES-S), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool–5th Edition (SCAT5) Symptom and Symptom Severity Checklist.
Results
The NON group had worse self-rated physical function than the NCA group as assessed by the SF-12 physical component summary (P = .03) and worse self-rated apathy (AES-S) and satisfaction with life (SWLS) than the NCA (P = .03 for both) and HRS groups (P = .03 and P = .040, respectively). We observed no group differences for self-rated mental health (SF-12 mental component summary; P = .26) or symptoms (SCAT5; P = .42). Career duration was not associated with any patient-reported outcomes.
Conclusions
A history of contact or collision sport participation and career duration did not negatively affect patient-reported outcomes in physically active, early to middle-aged adults. However, physical inactivity status was negatively associated with patient-reported outcomes in these individuals in the absence of an RHI history.
Key Points
- The midlife and later-life effects of repetitive head impacts paired with physical activity on patient-reported outcomes need to be elucidated.
- Contact or collision sport participation and career duration were unrelated to worse patient-reported outcomes in early to midadulthood among physically active individuals.
- Physical inactivity may be a more important modifier of patient-reported outcomes in early to midadulthood than repetitive neurotrauma exposure.
Description
This article was originally published in Journal of Athletic Training. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0017.23. © by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc
Keywords
rugby, exercise, mental health, subconcussive impacts
Citation
Katherine J. Hunzinger, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Rebekah Mannix, William P. Meehan, C. Buz Swanik, Thomas A. Buckley; Contact or Collision Sport History, Repetitive Neurotrauma, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Early to Midadulthood. J Athl Train 1 November 2023; 58 (11-12): 952–961. doi: https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0017.23