A history of concussion is associated with minimal perturbations to heart rate variability in athletes

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To compare heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy male and female athletes with versus without a history of concussion.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 113 healthy interuniversity athletes (n = 62 female; n = 51 male) across nine sports from a single institution, participating within the first half of their respective athletic seasons. Concussion history was determined by self-report (males: yes = 20, no = 31; females: yes = 21, no = 41). HRV was measured over five-minute time intervals in both seated and supine positions. All analyses were adjusted for age.

Results

No differences in HRV were observed in female athletes with versus without a history of concussion; male athletes with a history of concussion displayed a significantly lower mean RR in the seated position compared to athletes with no history of concussion.

Conclusion

In the months-to-years following a concussion, HRV does not appear to be significantly perturbed. However, males with a history of concussion may have a slightly lower mean RR. Future studies evaluating HRV and concussion history should be mindful of the confounding influence of sex and age.

KEYWORDS:

• Autonomic nervous system
• sport concussion
• mTBI
• electrophysiology

Data availability

Data is available upon request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors

Supplymental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR, Task 7).