Do neurocognitive SCAT3 baseline test scores differ between footballers (soccer) living with and without diability? A cross-sectional study
- Authors: Weiler, Richard , van Mechelen, Willem , Fuller, Colin , Ahmed, Osman , Verhagen, Evert
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine Vol. 28, no. 1 (2018), p. 43-50
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- Description: OBJECTIVE:: To determine if baseline Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, third Edition (SCAT3) scores differ between athletes with and without disability. DESIGN:: Cross-sectional comparison of preseason baseline SCAT3 scores for a range of England international footballers. SETTING:: Team doctors and physiotherapists supporting England football teams recorded playersʼ SCAT 3 baseline tests from August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014. PARTICIPANTS:: A convenience sample of 249 England footballers, of whom 185 were players without disability (male: 119; female: 66) and 64 were players with disability (male learning disability: 17; male cerebral palsy: 28; male blind: 10; female deaf: 9). ASSESSMENT AND OUTCOME MEASURES:: Between-group comparisons of median SCAT3 total and section scores were made using nonparametric Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon ranked-sum test. MAIN RESULTS:: All footballers with disability scored higher symptom severity scores compared with male players without disability. Male footballers with learning disability demonstrated no significant difference in the total number of symptoms, but recorded significantly lower scores on immediate memory and delayed recall compared with male players without disability. Male blind footballersʼ scored significantly higher for total concentration and delayed recall, and male footballers with cerebral palsy scored significantly higher on balance testing and immediate memory, when compared with male players without disability. Female footballers with deafness scored significantly higher for total concentration and balance testing than female footballers without disability. CONCLUSIONS:: This study suggests that significant differences exist between SCAT3 baseline section scores for footballers with and without disability. Concussion consensus guidelines should recognize these differences and produce guidelines that are specific for the growing number of athletes living with disability.
A 12-month prospective cohort study of symptoms of common mental disorders among European professional footballers
- Authors: Gouttebarge, Vincent , Aoki, Haruhito , Verhagen, Evert , Kerkhoffs, Gino
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine Vol. 27, no. 5 (2017), p. 487-492
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- Description: Objective: To determine the 12-month incidence and comorbidity of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) among European professional footballers and to explore the association of potential stressors with the health conditions under study among those European professional footballers. Design: Observational prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 12 months. Participants: Male professional footballers from 5 European countries (n = 384 at baseline). Assessment of Risk Factors: Adverse life events, conflicts with trainer/coach, and career dissatisfaction were explored by using validated questionnaires. Main Outcome Measures: Symptoms of distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, and adverse alcohol use were assessed using validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 384 players (mean age of 27 years old; mean career duration of 8 years) were enrolled, of which 262 completed the follow-up period. The incidence of symptoms of CMD were 12% for distress, 37% for anxiety/depression, 19% for sleep disturbance, and 14% for adverse alcohol use. Over the follow-up period of 12 months, approximately 13% of the participants reported 2 symptoms, 5% three symptoms, and 3% four symptoms. Professional footballers reporting recent adverse life events, a conflict with trainer/coach, or career dissatisfaction were more likely to report symptoms of CMD, but statistically significant associations were not found. Conclusions: The 12-month incidence of symptoms of CMD among European professional footballers ranged from 12% for symptoms of distress to 37% for symptoms of anxiety/depression. A professional football team typically drawn from a squad of 25 players can expect symptoms of CMD to occur among at least 3 players in one season.