Visual perturbation impacts upright postural stability in athletes with an acute concussion

ABSTRACT

Objective: The impact that visual perturbation has on upright postural stability in an athlete with a concussion has not been established. The present study aimed to characterize the influence that visual perturbation stimuli have on upright balance among athletes with acute concussions.

Design: A 2X2X2 repeated measure designed was used.

Method: The present study examined the influence visual perturbation has on individuals suffering from an acute concussion. Fourteen participants (7 with a concussion and 7 matched controls) underwent various balance assessments with and without visual perturbation.

Results: Overall, athletes with acute concussions demonstrated impairments in balance 24–48 hours following a concussion. However, when assessed using a visual perturbation task, athletes with acute concussions demonstrated improved balance, while control subjects did not show any significant changes during the same visual perturbation task.

Conclusion: An athlete’s ability to disregard visual perturbation stimuli is imperative for successful participation in sports. Due to the observed alterations in balance when given a visual perturbation task, it is suggested that athletes with acute concussions place more attention on the balance task and may disregard other less meaningful tasks.

KEYWORDS:

• Sports-related concussion
• mild traumatic brain injury
• vision
• balance

Acknowledgements

None.

Declaration of Interest

The primary author’s only declaration of interest is the following; the data gathered in this article was part of the author’s doctoral dissertation work. Cripps, Andrea E., “ALTERATIONS IN VISUAL PROCESSING AND ITS IMPACT ON UPRIGHT POSTURAL STABILITY IN ATHLETES FOLLOWING SPORT-RELATED CONCUSSION” (2013). Theses and Dissertations–Rehabilitation Sciences. 14. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/rehabsci_etds/14