Sex Differences in Baseline Neuropsychological Function and Concussion Symptoms of Collegiate Athletes

Tracey Covassin ^1*, C. Buz Swanik ², Michael Sachs ³, Zebulon Kendrick ³, Phillip Schatz ⁴, Eric Zillmer ⁵ and Catherine Kaminaris ⁵

¹ Michigan State University, United States
² University of Delaware, United States
³ Temple University, United States
⁴ Saint Joseph's University, United States
⁵ Drexel University, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: covassin{at}msu.edu.

Accepted 22 August 2006

Abstract

Objective: Investigate sex differences in baseline neuropsychological function and concussion symptoms between male and female collegiate athletes.

Design: A post-test only design was used to examine baseline neuropsychological test scores and concussion symptoms.

Setting: Multicenter analysis of NCAA collegiate athletes.

Participants: A total of 1,209 Division I athletes completed a baseline ImPACT test.

Outcome Measurements: ImPACT, a computerized neuropsychological test battery, was administered during an athletes pre-season.

Results: Female athletes performed significantly better than male athletes on baseline verbal memory (P = .001) while male athletes performed significantly better than female athletes on baseline visual memory scores (P = .001). Female athletes reported 13 out of 22 baseline symptoms significantly higher compared to male athletes.

Conclusions: Male and female athletes exhibit differences on baseline neuropsychological test performance and concussion symptoms.

Key Words: ImPACT, concussion symptoms, neuropsychological function, sex differences

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