The association between multiple prior concussions, cognitive test scores, and symptom reporting in youth rugby league players.

Objective

To examine the effect of prior concussion history on cognitive test performance and concussion symptom reporting among adolescent youth rugby league athletes.

Participants

Participants were male elite level youth rugby league players (N = 73; Mean Age = 15.8; SD = 0.9; range = 14-18 years).Main Outcome Measure: CogSport performance based on participants group; those who reported no previous concussions (n = 30),1-2 previous concussions (n = 19), and ≥3 previous concussions (n = 29).

Results

73 participants with valid CogSport scores were included in the cognitive analyses. All participants were included in the symptom analyses. There were no differences between the groups with 0,1-2, or ≥3 previous concussions for processing speed, attention, learning, or working memory. There was atrend for those with multiple prior concussions to report more baseline preseason symptoms.

Conclusions

There were no differences in scores on the CogSport test among those with ahistory of 0,1-2, or ≥3 prior concussions. Consistent with prior studies, youth with ahistory of multiple past concussions are more likely to endorse baseline preseason symptoms.