Working memory capacity among collegiate student athletes: Effects of sport-related head contacts, concussions, and working memory demands

Abstract

Objective: To measure working memory capacity among a cohort of collegiate athletes and to compare results between athletes competing in head-contact-prone sports with those not subject to repeated head contacts. A secondary objective was to determine the effect of sport-related concussion on working memory capacity. Design: Ambidirectional cohort study. Setting: Athletics department at an American university. Participants: Student athletes competing in various sports. Interventions: None. Main outcome measurement: Automated operation span test scores. Results: Working memory capacity is not impaired in student athletes who participate in head-contact-prone sports or in student athletes with a history of diagnosed concussion, even those who are multiconcussed. Our results suggest that athletes competing in sports that impose significant working memory loading score higher on the automated operation span test than do other athletes. Conclusions: Further research is required to determine the value of measuring working memory capacity in acutely concussed, symptomatic athletes.

Keywords:

• Athlete
• Working memory capacity
• Neurocognitive tests
• Brain injury
• Concussion

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to our coaches and athletes for their participation and to Joseph Constantino and the staff of the Pace University computer resource center for their assistance with this study. Randall Engle generously provided advice and insight concerning working memory capacity and its measurement.