Signs of cognitive dysfunction in adult players of club level rugby

• Published in: South African journal of psychology 2020-03, Vol.50 (1), p.128-140
• Main Authors: Zoccola, Diana, Shuttleworth-Edwards, Ann B, Radloff, Sarah E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ImPACT test; Mild traumatic brain injury; Purdue Pegboard; Rugby union; Sports concussion
• ISSN: 0081-2463; 2078-208X
• DOI: 10.1177/0081246319826816

The objective of this study was to investigate players of club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) over one rugby season, for signs of residual cognitive dysfunction due to repeated concussive events incurred during long-term participation in the sport. Adult male players of club level rugby, without a diagnosis of a concussion during the season (n = 20), were compared with non-contact club level sports participants (n = 22) of equivalent sex, age, education, and estimated IQ at pre-, mid-, and post-season intervals. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Statistical group comparisons revealed consistently poorer performance for rugby players compared with controls for ImPACT Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites at all test intervals, and for the Purdue Pegboard tasks at the first two test intervals. Repeat measures comparisons across the three test intervals demonstrated differential learning patterns between groups on ImPACT Visual Memory, ImPACT Reaction Time, and Purdue Both tasks, suggestive of cognitive vulnerability in the rugby group. Overall, the results reveal deleterious cognitive performance in adult club level rugby players relative to equivalent noncontact sports controls. The finding serves to endorse indications from other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Recommendations for further research and management of concussion in rugby players are discussed.