Sex differences in baseline neuropsychological function and concussion symptoms of collegiate athletes

Br J Sports Med. 2006 Nov;40(11):923-7; discussion 927. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.029496. Epub 2006 Sep 21.

Abstract

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

Methods: A post-test only design was used to examine baseline neuropsychological test scores and concussion symptoms. A total of 1209 NCAA Division I collegiate athletes from five northeastern universities in the USA completed a baseline ImPACT test. ImPACT, a computerised neuropsychological test battery, was administered during an athlete's pre-season.

Results: Female athletes performed significantly better than male athletes on baseline verbal memory scores (p = 0.001), while male athletes performed significantly better than female athletes on baseline visual memory scores (p = 0.001). Female athletes endorsed a significant number of mild baseline symptoms as compared to male athletes.

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

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / complications
  • Athletic Injuries / psychology*
  • Brain Concussion / complications
  • Brain Concussion / psychology*
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Sex Characteristics*