Evaluation of the vestibular/ocular motor screening assessment in active combat sport athletes: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT

Objective

The first aim of this study was to compare the results of the vestibular/ocular motor screening (VOMS) in combat sport athletes with a healthy control population. Second, to explore differences between athletes with and without a concussion history. Third, to examine the relationship between VOMS and the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) in combat sport athletes.

Participants

Forty active male combat sport athletes and 40 healthy male control participants were recruited from 4 clubs and a University in Australia.

Methods

Participants completed the VOMS in a primary care physiotherapy clinic. Participants completed an injury questionnaire and the PCSS.

Results

An “abnormal” score in at least one subtest or near point convergence (NPC) was recorded in 45% of the combat group compared with 22.5% of the control group. All VOMS scores and NPC distance were greater in the combat group compared with control group (p < 0.05). The VOMS scores were found to be moderately positively correlated with the PCSS. There was no difference in VOMS between athletes with and without a history of concussion (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

VOMS scores differed between combat sport athletes and control participants. The PCSS may aid clinicians in identifying athletes who have underlying vestibular/oculomotor impairment.

KEYWORDS:

• concussion
• traumatic brain injury
• assessment
• MMA
• Muay Thai

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the clubs and participants for their support and involvement in this study. Daniel Brown was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.