RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 406 Does somatosensory dysfunction exist at return to play following concussion in elite athletes JF British Journal of Sports Medicine JO Br J Sports Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine SP A154 OP A155 DO 10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.371 VO 55 IS Suppl 1 A1 Theo Farley A1 Ed Owen A1 Louise Turner YR 2021 UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/Suppl_1/A154.3.abstract AB Background A growing body of evidence suggests athletes may be over two times more likely to sustain a musculoskeletal (MSK) injury following concussion, highlighting significant clinical need to understand the pathophysiological changes in function and guide long term management of these patients. Reduced somatosensory function is considered one potential influencing factor for this phenomenon, whereby decreased postural control and bodily awareness leads to poor technique or abnormal movement strategiesObjective Using a measure of postural sway (Sway medical app, SMBA) and a balance assessment marker (Y-balance)this study aims to establish if somatosensory function is reduced at the point or return to play in a group of elite athletes.Design Observational cohort studySetting British Olympic networkPatients (or Participants) Men’s and Women’s Great Britain boxing, skeleton and hockey and elite women’s rugbyInterventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) Baseline SMBA and Y-balance measures were taken as part of a bi-annual squad profiling battery.Concussion was diagnosed by one of the team physiotherapists or sports medicine consultants. Testing was repeated within three days of initial injury (where possible) and upon clearance for return to play following completion of the return-to-play protocol.Main Outcome Measurements Postural sway (SMBA) and the Y-balance testResults To date five concussions have been recorded across all groups, demonstrating a mean percentage reduction in postural sway of 18.3% (87.2 SD = 11.3 - 71.2 SD = 23.7). Ther was no significant difference in baseline postural sway between the concussed and non-concussed groups (p=0.204).For Y-balance, a 0.6% drop in return to play (RTP) reach was recorded in the concussed group when compared to group baseline scores (p=0.852, mean baseline- 96.3cm SD = 2.3, RTP 95.7cm SD = 3.94).Conclusions This study highlights a trend towards a residual reduction in somatosensory function upon return to play following concussion, despite normalisation of symptoms and SCAT5 testing. Despite this not being a statistically significant change, the study offers a promising start to warrant further investigation of somatosensory function and its relationship with increased MSK injury rates.