USING MOVEMENT SCREENING TESTS AND BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS TO DIFFERENTIATE POST-CONCUSSION PEDIATRIC SOCCER ATHLETES FROM HEALTHY CONTROLS

BACKGROUND: Recently, 2 controlled prospective studies of collegiate student-athletes identified 1.6 to 2.5 increased risk of subsequent lower extremity injury following concussion (Books et al., 2016; Lynall et al., 2015). The purpose of the study is to determine the potential clinical utility and application of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y Balance Test (YBT), Tuck Jump Assessment (TJA), and Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) in a sample of post-concussion soccer athletes and a sample of healthy age and gender matched soccer athlete controls to identify differences. Differentiation was defined as significance in raw score performance on the FMS, YBT, TJA, LESS. Prospective data was collected on lower extremity injury within 6-months post-concussion. METHODS: The study participants were administered the FMS, YBT, TJA, and LESS in successive order by a licensed athletic trainer. All measures were administered in a biomechanical lab setting. Post-concussion soccer athletes were administered the FMS, YBT, TJA, and LESS after receiving formal medical clearance from a licensed physician. Post-concussion soccer athletes were matched with healthy soccer athlete controls by age, gender, and years of participation. All study participants were administered screening measures at rest. All demographic and raw data were summarized using descriptive statistics with point estimates and 95% confidence intervals calculated for all end points. Independent sample t-tests were performed at <0.05 to measure significant differences between groups. RESULTS: 50 (17 female, 33 male; mean age=14.1; mean years of participation=6.8) post-concussion soccer athletes and 50 (17 female, 33 male; mean age=14.3; mean years of participation=6.7) matched soccer athlete controls were administered the FMS, YBT, TJA, and LESS. Significant differences were observed between the post-concussion and control groups on FMS Deep Squat (t=-9.76, p=<0.001), Inline Lung (t=-8.43, p=<0.001), and LESS total score (t=-9.21, p=<0.001). No other significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified the FMS, YBT, TJA, and LESS as potential movement screening tests in which differences could be observed in a sample of post-concussion and healthy control soccer athletes. Results from the current study identified specific differences between groups with respect to movement screening test performance on the FMS Deep Squat, Inline Lunge, and LESS total score. Further research is warranted to clearly define the observed differences. Clinicians should consider these findings when providing recommendations and discussing recovery in concussion patients.