Establishing a Novel Neurofunctional Pre-Season Baseline for Sports-Related Concussion in Men and Women Collegiate Athletics

Authors

Jonathan C. Vincent, Neurology and Rehabilitative Medicine, University of CincinnatiFollow
Jon G. Divine MD MS, Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of CincinnatiFollow
Aaron Kuehn-Himmler AT MS, Department of Athletics and NovaCare Rehabilitation, University of CincinnatiFollow
Robert E. Mangine PT MEd ATC, Department of Athletics and NovaCare Rehabilitation, University of CincinnatiFollow
Jim K. Ellis OD, Department of Athletics, University of CincinnatiFollow
Frederick R. Carrick DC, PhD, MS-HPEd, Neurology, Centre for Mental Health Research in association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.Follow
Kimberly A. Hasselfeld, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of CincinnatiFollow
Blake M. Bacevich, University of CincinnatiFollow
Daniel Fosselman DO MBA, Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of CincinnatiFollow
Joseph F. Clark PhD, ATC, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of CincinnatiFollow

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate a multi-domain neurofunctional baseline incorporating ocular, vestibular, proprioceptive, and cognitive assessments for collegiate athletes, thereby providing a more comprehensive approach to detecting and managing sports-related concussions.

Design: Retrospective chart review of pre-season baseline data.

Setting: Collegiate athletic training facility.

Participants: A total of 194 Division I collegiate athletes aged 18–24 years, stratified by sport, sex, and self-reported concussion history.

Interventions: A comprehensive battery of clinical and instrument-based neurological assessments, including Dynavision D2 tests (visual-motor coordination and reaction time), stereopsis, convergence, proprioception, peripheral vision, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements.

Main Outcome Measures: Normative data were calculated using descriptive statistics (median, mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence intervals), with inferential analyses identifying group differences by sport, sex, and concussion history.

Results: The neurofunctional baseline battery was successfully administered to all participants, yielding normative ranges across multiple neurological domains. Significant sport-specific differences were detected in measures such as Dynavision performance and near/far accommodation, highlighting the influence of sport demands on visual and sensorimotor function. Minimal sex-based variations were noted, suggesting broad applicability of the normative data for both male and female athletes. Self-reported concussion history was not consistently associated with altered baseline performance; however, a small subset of athletes with a history of multiple concussions showed decreased left-eye RNFL thickness.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a multi-domain neurofunctional baseline offers a more robust pre-season evaluation than traditional single-domain methods by capturing subtle deficits in ocular, vestibular, and proprioceptive pathways. These findings underscore the clinical utility of incorporating objective measures into routine concussion management protocols. Future longitudinal research is warranted to confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of this comprehensive assessment battery and to further refine sport-specific normative benchmarks.

Recommended Citation

Vincent, Jonathan C.; Divine, Jon G. MD MS; Kuehn-Himmler, Aaron AT MS; Mangine, Robert E. PT MEd ATC; Ellis, Jim K. OD; Carrick, Frederick R. DC, PhD, MS-HPEd; Hasselfeld, Kimberly A.; Bacevich, Blake M.; Fosselman, Daniel DO MBA; and Clark, Joseph F. PhD, ATC (2025) "Establishing a Novel Neurofunctional Pre-Season Baseline for Sports-Related Concussion in Men and Women Collegiate Athletics," Journal for Sports Neuroscience: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 22.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/neurosports/vol1/iss2/22