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. 2019 Apr;54(4):445-448.
doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-220-18. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

Sex Differences on Vestibular and Ocular Motor Assessment in Youth Athletes

Ryan N Moran  1 , Tracey Covassin  2 , R J Elbin  3
Affiliations

Sex Differences on Vestibular and Ocular Motor Assessment in Youth Athletes

Ryan N Moran et al. J Athl Train. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Context: The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) is a newly developed measure that evaluates vestibular and ocular motor symptom provocation after sport-related concussion. The effects of sex on baseline VOMS scores in youth athletes have not been established.

Objective: To examine sex differences on baseline VOMS assessment among youth athletes.

Results: No sex differences were demonstrated between male and female youth athletes on individual VOMS items (P range = .07-.98). Female sex was not associated with increased odds for VOMS scores over clinical-cutoff levels (range: odds ratio = 0.64; 95% confidence interval = 0.35, 1.15; P = .13; odds ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence interval = 0.48, 1.71; P = .77).

Conclusions: No sex differences were present on baseline VOMS scores in youth athletes, nor was sex a risk factor for an abnormal VOMS score. These findings highlight the need for continual baseline and postconcussion assessments using multifaceted assessment strategies.

Keywords: concussions; mild traumatic brain injuries; pediatrics.

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