Effects of exercise on symptoms, cognitive and motor performance tasks using the sport concussion assessment tool (SCAT2) in healthy young adults and children. Issue 5 (11th March 2013) - Boutros, Nour
Abstract : Objective: To document the effect of high intensity exercise on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2) scores in healthy young adults and children. Design: Repeated measures design. Setting: McGill University Athletics Department (adults) and Elementary School in the Montreal area (children). Participants: Seventy six healthy young adults (45 women and 31 men, mean age 22.5±1.9 years) and 13 children (6 girls and 7 boys, mean age 10.7±0.4 years) participated in this study. Intervention: Participants performed the Léger Test, a maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test, to their perceived volitional exhaustion. Main Outcome Measurements: The SCAT2 was used to evaluate participants at rest, 2 min and 25 min post-exercise. Results: In adults, total SCAT2 scores were significantly decreased immediately after high intensity exercise (p<0.001) and returned to baseline after the allocated rest period (p=0.350). Individual components of the SCAT2 also reflected this for symptom severity (p<0.001), and total balance score (p<0.001). High intensity exercise had no effect on delayed recall memory (p=0.242). Children in our small sample revealed a tendency for a similar impact of high intensity exercise on SCAT2 scores although statistical significance was not reached. Conclusions: High intensity exercise, such as that achieved during a sporting event, has an impact on aspects of functioning assessed by the SCAT2. Clinical Relevance: In order to eliminate the effects of exercise when testing individuals on the field immediately post-injury, professionals should allow for proper rest before using the SCAT2. Acknowledgements: Participants and their families, Gardenview Elementary School for allowing testing within their institutions, Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy McGill University. Competing interests: None.