# Dual statistical models link baseline visual attention measure to risk for significant symptomatic concussion in sports

## TL;DR

Pre-season visual attention testing may help identify athletes at risk for significant sports-related concussion.

## Contribution

Dual statistical models link baseline visual attention to concussion risk in sports.

## Key findings

- 3,091 athletes were baseline-assessed, with 35 experiencing a significant burden of concussion.
- Both models associated prior head injury and visual attention metrics with concussion risk.
- Visual attention testing may predict future concussion impacts in athletes.

## Abstract

Athletic pre-season testing can establish functional baseline for comparison following concussion. Whether impacts of future concussions may be foretold by such testing is little known.

Two sets of models for a significant burden of concussion were generated: a traditional approach using a series of logistic regressions, and a penalized regression approach using elastic net.

3091 youth and adult athletes were baseline-assessed. 90 subsequently experienced concussion and 35 were still experiencing a significant burden of concussion when tested within two weeks. Both models associated prior history of head injury and visual attention-related metrics with a significant burden of concussion.

Pre-season testing of visual attention may identify athletes who are at risk for significant sports-related concussion.

Athletic pre-season testing can establish functional baseline for comparison following concussion and may predict impacts of future concussions. In this study, 3,091 youth and adult athletes were baseline-assessed. 90 subsequently experienced concussion and 35 were still experiencing a significant burden of concussion when tested within two weeks. A statistical model and a machine-learning model both associated prior history of head injury and visual attention-related metrics with a significant burden of concussion. Pre-season testing of visual attention may identify athletes who are at risk for significant sports-related concussion.

Pre-season testing of visual attention may identify athletes who are at risk for significant sports-related concussion