The Effect of High-Intensity Exertion on Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 Subcomponents
Date
2020-09-12
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Abstract
Introduction: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) is a commonly used assessment tool following a suspected sport-related concussion. However, little is known how SCAT5 subcomponent scores change following high-intensity exertion. Methods: Participants were recruited from the varsity womens rugby and mens and womens wrestling teams at the University of Calgary. The SCAT5 was administered prior to and following the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test, where the primary outcome measures included: total symptom scores and severity, standardized assessment of concussion, neurological screening, and balance error during the modified balance error scoring system, as measured with the SCAT5. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were utilized to evaluate differences in ordinal data between pre- and post-exertion. Bonferroni corrections were performed to account for multiple comparisons (0.05/9, p<0.006). Results: Thirty-seven varsity athletes (median age: 19 years, range: 17-23, 28 female) consented to participate in this investigation. The SCAT5 was administered by trained health care professionals a median of 20 minutes (range: 1–47 minutes) following exertion. No differences were found before and after the exertion test for Post-Concussion Symptom Score total number of symptoms (z=1.05, p=0.29), standardized assessment of concussion (z=-1.98, p=0.048), neurological screen (z=0.58, p=0.56), and modified Balance Error System Score (z=0.37, p=0.71). Conclusions: SCAT5 subcomponent scores were not significantly altered following high-intensity exertion in collision and combative varsity athletes. In agreement with previous literature, a 20 minute recovery period appears to be an acceptable timeframe for SCAT5 subcomponent scores to return to resting/baseline levels.
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Keywords
Sport-Related Concussion, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, Exertion
Citation
Burma, J. S. (2020). The Effect of High-Intensity Exertion on Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 Subcomponents (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.