Health and Environmental Sciences
Can we improve return to play testing for sports-related concussion?
Currently, athletes returning to play after a concussion have approximately double the risk of a subsequent injury (either another concussion, or musculoskeletal such as ACL tear). This implies that some people may not be completely recovered.
We are exploring whether a cluster of tests pre- and post- exertion may be helpful to highlight some of these ongoing issues. These tests include things like visual tracking, dual-tasking, and balance.
Participation in this study would involve two sessions that take approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. At each session you would have 5 repetitions of the cluster of tests. One of the sessions would also include a 20 minute exercise protocol, where you would use an exercycle and then complete some circuit exercises.
We are interested in healthy (control) participants, to help us understand the normal effect of exertion on these tests. We are also interested in people who have had a recent (within six months) sports-related concussion, who have not fully returned to sport. These people can help us understand if these tests are useful to show differences between people with and without concussion.
We have options for data collection sites in South Auckland (Pukekohe), Central (Axis, St Johns) and the North Shore (AUT Integrated Health/ Axis, Wairau).
Participants would receive $100 in supermarket / petrol vouchers as an appreciation of their time and effort.
More information about the study and the research team can be found on IG: @concussionRTPstudyNZ
or the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12624001341516
We are looking for...
BOTH GROUPS:
Aged 18-40, any gender
Normally participating in at least 75 minutes of exercise per week
NON-INJURED GROUP:
No medical/musculoskeletal conditions that affect balance, visual tracking, or the ability to participate in exercise
No concussions within the last 12 months
CONCUSSION GROUP
Currently recovering from a sports-related concussion within the last 6 months
No medical/musculoskeletal conditions (aside from the recent concussion) that affect balance, visual tracking, or the ability to participate in exercise
If in doubt, please get in touch and we can have a chat.
For people with a concussion, you can enrol in the study at any stage after your injury (ideally as soon as possible). We will schedule your testing at a time when it is appropriate in your recovery, this may not be right away. We will obtain medical clearance from your doctor prior, and if you don't have a doctor overseeing your recovery, we can assist you to arrange one.
Approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee on 2024-09-02 for 3 years.
2024 FULL 19505
Katherine Forch, katherine.forch@aut.ac.nz
You can browse all AUT research projects currently recruiting for participants on the page below.