Browsing by Author "Mrazik, Martin"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Absence of differences between male and female adolescents with prior sport concussion
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2014-01) Brooks, Brian L; Mrazik, Martin; Barlow, Karen M; McKay, Carly D; Meeuwisse, Willem H; Emery, Carolyn A
    Sex differences following concussion are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether male and female adolescent athletes with prior concussions differ regarding neurocognitive function and symptom reporting.
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    Heads Above the Rest: Examining Head impacts in Canadian High School Football
    (2021-04-16) Pankow, Mark Patrick; Emery, Carolyn A.; Dennison, Christopher R.; Hagel, Brent E.; Mrazik, Martin
    This thesis contains three projects focused on concussion and head impacts in tackle football. First, is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective: To examine youth football concussion and head impact rates, modifiable risk factors, and football-specific prevention strategies. Methods: Nine databases were searched. Two authors (with a third to resolve disagreements) completed study screening and assessment of bias. Results: Concussion rates for high school (ages 13-19) and minor football (ages 5-15) were 0.78/1000 athlete exposures and 1.15/1000 athlete exposures. Of prevention strategies, contact training and contact restrictions had the strongest evidence supporting their effectiveness. Conclusions: The high rates of concussion and head impacts affirm the need for prevention strategies in youth football. The second manuscript investigated head impact rates in Canadian high school football. Objective: To describe head impact rates in Canadian high school football. Methods: Games (n=14) involving two teams were recorded during the 2019 season and analyzed to identify head impacts. Results: The offense experienced head impacts at a higher rate than the kicking and receiving units, but not the defense. Conclusion: To help reduce the head impact rates in this cohort, contact training emphasizing the removal of the head from contact may be beneficial. The third manuscript evaluated a score-based running time rule. Objective: To describe the effect of the score-based running time rule on the rates of head impacts in Canadian high school football. Methods: Video analysis was used to identify head impacts in games (n=14) involving two teams that were followed during the 2019 football season. Results: The rates of head impacts in games where running time came into effect were lower for the offense and defense, but not special team units (kicking team and receiving team). Conclusions: The score-based running time rule was associated with lower head impact rates for two of four team units.
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    Perfecting the scramble: Examining the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth Canadian tackle football
    (2022-07) Syrydiuk, Reid Alexander; Emery, Carolyn; Broglio, Steven; Mrazik, Martin
    This thesis contains two projects that focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth tackle football, namely baseline concussion testing, head impacts, and injuries. The first study provided baseline reference scores on the SCAT5 concussion assessment tool and aimed to examine if age, concussion history, and self-reported medical conditions are associated with SCAT5 subcomponent performance in youth football participants (age 13-18). Due to social distancing regulations, SCAT5 assessments were performed virtually using the Zoom video platform. SCAT5 assessments were administered at baseline with 537 youth Canadian tackle football participants. Age and concussion history were not found to be associated with SCAT5 subcomponent scores. Participants with self-reported medical diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, depression) performed poorer on SCAT5 subcomponents and had higher symptom severity scores. The second study examined head impacts and suspected injuries (non-concussion and concussion) in youth football using video analysis. Games were videotaped for two Bantam football (ages 13-15) seasons including a 12-on-12 traditional format (with playoffs) in 2021 and a modified 2020 season that reduced the number of on-field players to 9-on-9 with reduced field width. Head impacts and suspected injuries were identified and tagged according to team unit (i.e., offense, defense, kicking team, receiving team). Head impacts and suspected injury and concussion were expressed as rates per 100 player-plays and per 10 gameplay minutes. Head impact and suspected injury rates did not differ between the 9-on-9 and 12-on-12 format, but the offense experienced significantly more head impacts in 12-on-12 playoff versus 12-on-12 regular season games (IRRplays: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.65; IRRmins: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.03-1.56). These findings along with future research may contribute to policy changes that have the potential to improve player safety.
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    Subjective, but not objective, lingering effects of multiple past concussions in adolescents
    (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2013-09-01) Brooks, Brian L; McKay, Carly D; Mrazik, Martin; Barlow, Karen M; Meeuwisse, Willem H; Emery, Carolyn A
    The existing literature on lingering effects from concussions in children and adolescents is limited and mixed, and there are no clear answers for patients, clinicians, researchers, or policy makers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are lingering effects of past concussions in adolescent athletes. Participants in this study included 643 competitive Bantam and Midget hockey players (most elite 20% by division of play) between 13 and 17 years of age (mean age=15.5, SD=1.2). Concussion history at baseline assessment was retrospectively documented using a pre-season questionnaire (PSQ), which was completed at home by parents and players in advance of baseline testing. Players with English as a second language, self-reported attention or learning disorders, a concussion within 6 months of baseline, or suspected invalid test profiles were excluded from these analyses. Demographically adjusted standard scores for the five composites/domains and raw symptom ratings from the brief Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized battery were analyzed. Adolescent athletes with one or two or more prior concussions did not have significantly worse neurocognitive functioning on ImPACT than did those with no previous concussions. There were significantly more symptoms reported in those with two or more prior concussions than in those with no or one prior concussion. Adolescents with multiple previous concussions had higher levels of baseline symptoms, but there were not group differences in neurocognitive functioning using this brief computerized battery.