Objective To detect differences in cervical arteries that contribute to cerebral blood flow (Common Carotid Artery; CCA, Internal Carotid Artery; ICA and Vertebral artery; VA) between athletes with a concussion history (Hx) and athletes without concussion history (no Hx). We hypothesized that athletes with Hx would have reduced blood flow volume compared to athletes with no Hx.

Design Prospective study.

Setting Canadian University.

Participants Eighty-two asymptomatic university athletes during pre-season baseline testing from 6 teams (42 females, 40 males); 36 athletes (18 females, 18 males) reported having Hx and 46 athletes (24 females, 22 males) had none.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) Doppler ultrasound measured blood flow volume in CCA, ICA, and VA bilaterally.

Outcome Measures Blood flow volume differences in 6 cervical arteries that contribute to cerebral blood flow.

Main Results Females with no Hx had significantly lower blood flow volume (BFV) compared to males with no Hx in right CCA (β=-83.78; p=0.009); left CCA (β=-72.40; p=0.027); and right ICA (β=-74.84 ; p=0.010). Females with Hx had significantly lower BFV in right CCA (β=-140.79; p <0.001); left CCA (β=-126.895; p <0.001); and right ICA (β=-101.47; p=0.001). All beta-coefficients were adjusted. There were no significant differences between males and females, regardless of Hx in the vertebral arteries bilaterally.

Conclusions This preliminary data demonstrates sex-related differences, particularly in the anterior cervical vessels contributing to cerebral blood flow in athletes with Hx. This suggests soft tissue in the neck may be a mechanism influencing blood flow to the brain post-concussion injury.