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Brain Injury Volume 29, 2015 - Issue 12
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Original Article

Developmental and gender influences on executive function following concussion in youth hockey players

Ilyse D. LaxDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Pencer Brain Tumor Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Melissa PanicciaDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Sabrina AgnihotriBloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Nick ReedDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Evan GarmaiseGraduate Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Consulting, Deloitte Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada, and
,
Mahdis AzadbakhshGraduate Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Justin NgGraduate Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Georges MonetteGraduate Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Catherine Wiseman-HakesBloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,
,
Tim TahaFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
&
Michelle KeightleyDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Graduate Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada, ;Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Correspondence[email protected]
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Pages 1409-1419 | Received 14 Jul 2014, Accepted 17 Apr 2015, Published online: 11 Sep 2015
 
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Abstract

Background: Concussion is the most common athletic injury in youth who are simultaneously undergoing rapid developmental changes in the brain, specifically the development of executive functions (EF). The developing brain is more vulnerable to concussive injury with a protracted and different trajectory of recovery than that of adults. Thus, there is a critical need to enhance understanding of how concussion affects EF in youth.

Objective: To investigate the effects of age, gender and concussion history (i.e. concussion incidence, recency, severity) on EF in youth hockey players.

Methods: This 3-year cross-sectional and longitudinal multiple cohort study examined data from 211 hockey players of 8–15 years of age. Mixed-effects modelling was used to examine the influence of age, gender and concussion on EF in youth athletes.

Findings: Baseline analyses revealed significant age and gender effects on measures of EF. Multiple effects of concussion history on measures of cognitive flexibility (F = 2.48, p = 0.03) and psychomotor speed (F = 2.59, p = 0.04) were found.

Implications: This study highlights the impact of age, gender and concussion on EF in youth. These findings provide foundational knowledge to better manage cognitive sequelae following sports-related concussion.

Acknowledgements

The authors offer their sincere gratitude to all of the participating youth hockey players and their families for their involvement as well as the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation who provided funding for this research. All of the members of the BrainFit lab are thanked for their support throughout all stages of this project.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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