The effects of exercise on a choice reaction time task in individuals with post-concussion syndrome

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess cognitive performance differences pre- and post-exercise in individuals without concussion (non-concussed, NC) and individuals with post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Methods: A total of 30 participants completed a choice reaction time (CRT) task in the form of an iPad application, measuring each individual’s decision-making capabilities, while wearing a head-mounted eye tracker system. Participants completed four blocks of testing; the time interval between the first two blocks of trials and the last two blocks of trials was 10 minutes. Between the completion of block 2 and the start of block 3, the participants completed a 15-minute bout of exercise. Results: Individuals with PCS at rest and following exercise displayed greater average reaction time (RT) (p<.01), lower overall accuracy (p<.01) and shorter final fixation durations (p<.05) than NC. Combined influence of learning and exercise resulted in a significant difference (p<.05) in RT from block 1 to block 3 and block 1 to block 4. Conclusion: Persistent concussion-based symptoms may be indicative of deficits in higher-level cognitive processing, as indicated by both decreased CRT performance and differences in gaze behaviours between groups. Therefore, individuals with PCS may not elicit appropriate decisions when navigating through an environment, potentially leading to further risk of injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Choice reaction time task
• post-concussion syndrome
• moderate exercise intensity
• gaze behaviours
• decision making
• collision avoidance

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Jackie So for creating the iPad app used in the current study.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The iPad app used in this study was designed by M. Cinelli and created for use only in this study by a local app developer. This iPad app will not be available for purchase. Therefore, the authors have no financial benefits from the app.