The association between multiple prior concussions, cognitive test scores, and symptom reporting in youth rugby league players

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine the effect of prior concussion history on cognitive test performance and concussion symptom reporting among adolescent youth rugby league athletes.Participants: Participants were male elite level youth rugby league players (N = 73; Mean Age = 15.8; SD = 0.9; range = 14–18 years).Main Outcome Measure: CogSport performance based on participants group; those who reported no previous concussions (n = 30),1–2 previous concussions (n = 19), and ≥3 previous concussions (n = 29).Results: 73 participants with valid CogSport scores were included in the cognitive analyses. All participants were included in the symptom analyses. There were no differences between the groups with 0,1–2, or ≥3 previous concussions for processing speed, attention, learning, or working memory. There was atrend for those with multiple prior concussions to report more baseline preseason symptoms.Conclusions: There were no differences in scores on the CogSport test among those with ahistory of 0,1–2, or ≥3 prior concussions. Consistent with prior studies, youth with ahistory of multiple past concussions are more likely to endorse baseline preseason symptoms.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• youth
• sports
• rugby league