Reaction Time and Joint Kinematics during Functional Movement in Recently Concussed Individuals

Publication date: Available online 11 January 2018
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Robert C. Lynall, J. Troy Blackburn, Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Stephen W. Marshall, Prudence Plummer, Jason P. Mihalik
ObjectiveTo compare movement reaction time and joint kinematics between recently concussed and matched control recreational athletes during 3 functional tasks.DesignCross-sectional.SettingLaboratory.ParticipantsThirty college-aged recreational athletes comprising two groups (15 participants each): 1) Recent concussion group (median time since concussion 126 days, range 28-432 days), and 2) Age- and sex-matched control group with no recent concussions.InterventionsWe investigated movement reaction time and joint kinematics during 3 tasks: 1) Jump-landing, 2) Anticipated-cut, and 3) Unanticipated-cut.Main Outcome MeasuresReaction time and reaction time cost (reaction timejump landing–reaction timecut/reaction timejump landingx100%), along with trunk, hip, and knee joint angles in the sagittal and frontal planes at initial ground contact.ResultsThere were no reaction time between-group differences, but the control group displayed improved reaction time cost (10.7%) during anticipated cutting as compared to the concussed group (0.8%; p=0.030). The control group displayed less trunk flexion than the concussed group during the non-dominant anticipated cut (5.1° difference; p=0.022). There were no other kinematic between-group differences (p≥0.079).ConclusionsWe observed subtle reaction time and kinematic differences between recently concussed and non-concussed individuals more than a month after return-to-activity following concussion. The clinical interpretation of these findings remains unclear, but may have future implications for post-concussion management and rehabilitation.



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