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. 2023 May;12(3):398-405.
doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2022.12.004. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Effects of contact/collision sport history on gait in early- to mid-adulthood

Katherine J Hunzinger  1 , Jaclyn B Caccese  2 , Rebekah Mannix  3 , William P Meehan 3rd  4 , Jocelyn F Hafer  5 , C Buz Swanik  5 , Thomas A Buckley  6
Affiliations

Effects of contact/collision sport history on gait in early- to mid-adulthood

Katherine J Hunzinger et al. J Sport Health Sci. 2023 May.

Abstract

Background: To determine the effect of contact/collision sport participation on measures of single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) gait among early- to middle-aged adults.

Methods: The study recruited 113 adults (34.88 ± 11.80 years, (mean ± SD); 53.0% female) representing 4 groups. Groups included (a) former non-contact/collision athletes and non-athletes who are not physically active (n = 28); (b) former non-contact/collision athletes who are physically active (n = 29); (c) former contact/collision sport athletes who participated in high-risk sports and are physically active (n = 29); and (d) former rugby players with prolonged repetitive head impact exposure history who are physically active (n = 27). Gait parameters were collected using inertial measurement units during ST and DT gait. DT cost was calculated for all gait parameters (double support, gait speed, and stride length). Groups were compared first using one-way analysis of covariance. Then a multiple regression was performed for participants in the high-risk sport athletes and repetitive head impact exposure athletes groups only to predict gait outcomes from contact/collision sport career duration.

Results: There were no significant differences between groups on any ST, DT, or DT cost outcomes (p > 0.05). Contact/collision sport duration did not predict any ST, DT, or DT cost gait outcomes.

Conclusion: Years and history of contact/collision sport participation does not appear to negatively affect or predict neurobehavioral function in early- to mid-adulthood among physically active individuals.

Keywords: Exercise; Neurodegenerative disease; Postural control; Rugby; Subconcussive impacts.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Hunzinger is an independent contractor with USA Rugby as a World Rugby Educator for the Strength and Conditioning and Referee Strands. Dr. Meehan receives royalties from (1) ABC-Clio publishing for the sale of his books, Kids, sports, and concussion: A guide for coaches and parents, and concussions; (2) Springer International for the book Head and neck injuries in young athlete, and (3) Wolters Kluwer for working as an author for UpToDate. His research is funded, in part, by philanthropic support from the National Hockey League Alumni Association through the Corey C. Griffin Pro-Am Tournament, and a grant from the National Football League. All the supporting entities had no involvement in the study design and writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit it for publication. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig 1
Fig. 1
Violin plot of age distribution by group with box and whisker plot overlay. Groups were not significantly different by age (p = 0.319). HRS = high-risk sport athletes; NCA = non-contact athletes; NON = non-athletes; RUG = rugby/prolonged RHI exposure athletes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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