Background: The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) is used to assess the number and intensity o... more Background: The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) is used to assess the number and intensity of symptoms after a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury. However, its responsiveness to monitor clinical recovery has yet to be determined. Purpose: To evaluate the responsiveness of the PCSS to change and longitudinal validity in patients with persistent postconcussive symptoms as well as to explore the responsiveness of other clinical outcome measures to monitor recovery of physical symptoms in patients with persistent postconcussive symptoms. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients with persistent symptoms after a concussion (N = 109) were evaluated using self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after a 6-week rehabilitation program. The program consisted of an individualized symptom-limited aerobic exercise program combined with education. Questionnaires included the PCSS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Headache Disability Inventory (HDI), ...
In preparation for a short track speed skating season, eight men and seven women were given yoga ... more In preparation for a short track speed skating season, eight men and seven women were given yoga sessions during an 8-week high volume training cycle. The sessions were planned according to the postural aspects specific to short track speed skating technical requirements. Three specific goals were selected for the intervention: 1) to observe whether the practice of yoga as postural training could improve the efficiency and the athlete's repertoire along the muscular synergies solicited in the short track speed skating specific technique; 2) to enhance and diversify the motor time-on-task of athletes without changing the prescription of other training stimulus; and 3) to lower the risk of injury during periods with high volumes of training. A total of 36 sessions of yoga were given. Three postural tests were administered before and after the intervention with 14 angles analyzed. Non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare angles' variations. The 36 yoga sessions totalize...
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common cause of injury in youth athletes. Much of what is... more Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common cause of injury in youth athletes. Much of what is known about the sequelae of mTBI is yielded from the adult literature, and it appears that it is mainly those with persistent post-injury symptoms who have ongoing cognitive and neural abnormalities. However, most studies have employed single-task paradigms, which may not be challenging enough to uncover subtle deficits. We sought to examine the neural correlates of dual-task performance in male athletes aged 9-15 years using a functional neuroimaging protocol. Participants included 13 youths with a history of mTBI three to six months prior to testing and 14 typically-developing controls. All participants completed a working memory task in isolation (single-task) and while completing a concurrent motor task (dual-task); neural activity during performance was then compared between groups. Although working memory performance was similar during the single-task condition, increased working ...
The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects on cognitive performance of prog... more The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects on cognitive performance of progressively adding tasks specific to ice hockey (skating, stick handling, and obstacle avoidance) during a visual interference task (Stroop Color Word Test–interference condition). In addition, the effects on locomotor performance of progressively adding tasks of stickhandling, visual interference, and obstacle avoidance related to maximal skating speed and minimal obstacle clearance were investigated in eight male athletes ages 10 to 12 years. Results revealed decreased performance on both cognitive and physical measures with increased task complexity, suggesting that adding complexity to an environment influences hockey skill performance.
To begin to understand changes in locomotor navigation in elite athletes following concussion. Cl... more To begin to understand changes in locomotor navigation in elite athletes following concussion. Clinical measures and gait analysis were undertaken on average 37.33 days (SD = 4.8) postconcussion for 6 athletes as well as for a control group of athletes matched for age, sex, and team. The locomotor task consisted of walking at a self-selected speed along an unobstructed or obstructed path with and without a visual interference task. The trends for 4 dependent variables were described (2 for gait behavior and 2 for cognitive behavior). A principal component analysis was used to reduce data to root sources of variance among these variables. General group differences were tested with Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests on factorial scores. Athletes with concussion were symptom free at the time of testing and their neuropsychological test results were not different from those of athletes in the control group. However, when the laboratory data between paired groups were compared, descriptive analyses suggested potential group differences in navigating the obstacle. The simultaneous Stroop task appeared to present difficulty for both groups. A significant group effect was found on the component of the factorial analysis that was highly loaded with both gait and cognitive variables (minimum clearance, Stroop task errors, and cognitive dual-task costs), generally supporting the descriptive analyses by suggesting that athletes with concussion do not navigate the targeted complex environments like the control group. Athletes with concussion appear to still show navigational deficits in environments well after being considered fully recovered according to current return-to-play protocols. Although still preliminary and requiring further study, the present findings suggest that functional assessment within complex environment contexts could be considered before sending athletes back to play following a concussion, even in the absence of postconcussion symptoms or with normal clinical outcomes.
To compare the locomotor capacity during (1) unobstructed walking and (2) the circumvention of fi... more To compare the locomotor capacity during (1) unobstructed walking and (2) the circumvention of fixed obstacles with and without a simultaneous visual task in an elite athlete before and after a sports-related concussion. Case report. Gait analysis and clinical neuropsychological measures were taken pre- and at 7 and 30 days post-injury in an 18 year old male junior hockey player. The task consisted of walking along an unobstructed or obstructed path with or without a visual interference task. Measurements included dual tasks costs, response errors, maximal gait speed and minimal clearance with the obstacle. Although the athlete was symptom-free and neuropsychological test results returned to baseline relatively quickly, he showed continued errors in the interference task, abnormally small obstacle clearance distances and decreased maximal gait speed up to 30 days after the concussion. Concussion can result in persistent planning and attention deficits in ecologically valid, complex environments. This report suggests that functional assessment within an ecological context could be an innovative way to evaluate concussed athletes before sending them back to play, even in the absence of medically related symptoms or abnormal neuropsychological test results.
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the main determinants of heart rate variabil... more ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the main determinants of heart rate variability (HRV) in male athletes aged 14 to 21 years who practice competitive contact sports and to integrate these determinants with the aim of defining normative values of short-term HRV in the time and frequency domains.MethodsParticipants (n = 369) were aged 14 to 21 years and included 221 football players and 148 ice hockey players. HRV was measured for 5 min at rest, and standard HRV parameters in the time and frequency domains were calculated. Heart rate (HR), age, body mass index (BMI), number of sports weekly practices (WSP) and concussion history (mTBI) were considered determinants potentially able to influence HRV.ResultsMultiple regression analysis revealed that HR was the primary determinant of standard HRV parameters. The models accounted for 13% to 55% of the total variance of HRV and the contribution of HR to this model was the strongest (β ranged from −0.34 to −0.75). HR was t...
Background: The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) is used to assess the number and intensity o... more Background: The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) is used to assess the number and intensity of symptoms after a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury. However, its responsiveness to monitor clinical recovery has yet to be determined. Purpose: To evaluate the responsiveness of the PCSS to change and longitudinal validity in patients with persistent postconcussive symptoms as well as to explore the responsiveness of other clinical outcome measures to monitor recovery of physical symptoms in patients with persistent postconcussive symptoms. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients with persistent symptoms after a concussion (N = 109) were evaluated using self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after a 6-week rehabilitation program. The program consisted of an individualized symptom-limited aerobic exercise program combined with education. Questionnaires included the PCSS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Headache Disability Inventory (HDI), ...
In preparation for a short track speed skating season, eight men and seven women were given yoga ... more In preparation for a short track speed skating season, eight men and seven women were given yoga sessions during an 8-week high volume training cycle. The sessions were planned according to the postural aspects specific to short track speed skating technical requirements. Three specific goals were selected for the intervention: 1) to observe whether the practice of yoga as postural training could improve the efficiency and the athlete's repertoire along the muscular synergies solicited in the short track speed skating specific technique; 2) to enhance and diversify the motor time-on-task of athletes without changing the prescription of other training stimulus; and 3) to lower the risk of injury during periods with high volumes of training. A total of 36 sessions of yoga were given. Three postural tests were administered before and after the intervention with 14 angles analyzed. Non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare angles' variations. The 36 yoga sessions totalize...
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common cause of injury in youth athletes. Much of what is... more Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common cause of injury in youth athletes. Much of what is known about the sequelae of mTBI is yielded from the adult literature, and it appears that it is mainly those with persistent post-injury symptoms who have ongoing cognitive and neural abnormalities. However, most studies have employed single-task paradigms, which may not be challenging enough to uncover subtle deficits. We sought to examine the neural correlates of dual-task performance in male athletes aged 9-15 years using a functional neuroimaging protocol. Participants included 13 youths with a history of mTBI three to six months prior to testing and 14 typically-developing controls. All participants completed a working memory task in isolation (single-task) and while completing a concurrent motor task (dual-task); neural activity during performance was then compared between groups. Although working memory performance was similar during the single-task condition, increased working ...
The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects on cognitive performance of prog... more The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects on cognitive performance of progressively adding tasks specific to ice hockey (skating, stick handling, and obstacle avoidance) during a visual interference task (Stroop Color Word Test–interference condition). In addition, the effects on locomotor performance of progressively adding tasks of stickhandling, visual interference, and obstacle avoidance related to maximal skating speed and minimal obstacle clearance were investigated in eight male athletes ages 10 to 12 years. Results revealed decreased performance on both cognitive and physical measures with increased task complexity, suggesting that adding complexity to an environment influences hockey skill performance.
To begin to understand changes in locomotor navigation in elite athletes following concussion. Cl... more To begin to understand changes in locomotor navigation in elite athletes following concussion. Clinical measures and gait analysis were undertaken on average 37.33 days (SD = 4.8) postconcussion for 6 athletes as well as for a control group of athletes matched for age, sex, and team. The locomotor task consisted of walking at a self-selected speed along an unobstructed or obstructed path with and without a visual interference task. The trends for 4 dependent variables were described (2 for gait behavior and 2 for cognitive behavior). A principal component analysis was used to reduce data to root sources of variance among these variables. General group differences were tested with Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests on factorial scores. Athletes with concussion were symptom free at the time of testing and their neuropsychological test results were not different from those of athletes in the control group. However, when the laboratory data between paired groups were compared, descriptive analyses suggested potential group differences in navigating the obstacle. The simultaneous Stroop task appeared to present difficulty for both groups. A significant group effect was found on the component of the factorial analysis that was highly loaded with both gait and cognitive variables (minimum clearance, Stroop task errors, and cognitive dual-task costs), generally supporting the descriptive analyses by suggesting that athletes with concussion do not navigate the targeted complex environments like the control group. Athletes with concussion appear to still show navigational deficits in environments well after being considered fully recovered according to current return-to-play protocols. Although still preliminary and requiring further study, the present findings suggest that functional assessment within complex environment contexts could be considered before sending athletes back to play following a concussion, even in the absence of postconcussion symptoms or with normal clinical outcomes.
To compare the locomotor capacity during (1) unobstructed walking and (2) the circumvention of fi... more To compare the locomotor capacity during (1) unobstructed walking and (2) the circumvention of fixed obstacles with and without a simultaneous visual task in an elite athlete before and after a sports-related concussion. Case report. Gait analysis and clinical neuropsychological measures were taken pre- and at 7 and 30 days post-injury in an 18 year old male junior hockey player. The task consisted of walking along an unobstructed or obstructed path with or without a visual interference task. Measurements included dual tasks costs, response errors, maximal gait speed and minimal clearance with the obstacle. Although the athlete was symptom-free and neuropsychological test results returned to baseline relatively quickly, he showed continued errors in the interference task, abnormally small obstacle clearance distances and decreased maximal gait speed up to 30 days after the concussion. Concussion can result in persistent planning and attention deficits in ecologically valid, complex environments. This report suggests that functional assessment within an ecological context could be an innovative way to evaluate concussed athletes before sending them back to play, even in the absence of medically related symptoms or abnormal neuropsychological test results.
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the main determinants of heart rate variabil... more ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the main determinants of heart rate variability (HRV) in male athletes aged 14 to 21 years who practice competitive contact sports and to integrate these determinants with the aim of defining normative values of short-term HRV in the time and frequency domains.MethodsParticipants (n = 369) were aged 14 to 21 years and included 221 football players and 148 ice hockey players. HRV was measured for 5 min at rest, and standard HRV parameters in the time and frequency domains were calculated. Heart rate (HR), age, body mass index (BMI), number of sports weekly practices (WSP) and concussion history (mTBI) were considered determinants potentially able to influence HRV.ResultsMultiple regression analysis revealed that HR was the primary determinant of standard HRV parameters. The models accounted for 13% to 55% of the total variance of HRV and the contribution of HR to this model was the strongest (β ranged from −0.34 to −0.75). HR was t...
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