Collegiate Adapted Athlete Baseline Performance on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening
Ryan N. Moran, Alexandra Curry, J. Russell Guin, Margaret Stran- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- General Medicine
Context
Concussion assessment in adapted and para-sport athletes has continued to evolve with growing considerations in para-sports, but little is known about vestibular/ocular performance assessment in this sample.
Objective
To examine baseline performance on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) in collegiate adapted athletes. A secondary objective was to investigate the role of sex, history of concussion, and functional classification on baseline measures.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
University adapted athletics facility
Patients or Other Participants
54 collegiate adapted athletes (age=21.19±2.6 years) from multiple institution’s adapted athletics programs across the United States.
Main Outcome Measures
Adapted athletes completed a baseline VOMS assessment while at the host university for in-season competition and tournaments. Independent variables were sex, history of concussion and functional classification (1.0-4.5 at 0.5 intervals). VOMS performance consisted of pre-test symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess) and post-item (e.g., smooth pursuits, saccades) symptom provocation/change from pre-test scores.
Results
50.9% reported 0 symptom provocation on the VOMS, with 72% having no pre-test symptoms. No sex differences were noted on the VOMS (p>0.05); However, adapted athletes with a history of concussion reported greater VOMS provocation on horizontal saccades (p=0.008) than those with no history. Higher functional classifications (2.0-4.5) reported greater provocation on horizontal saccades (p=0.010), horizontal and vertical saccades (p=0.043 and 0.048) vestibular ocular reflex (VOR), and VOR cancellation (p=0.036) than 1.0-1.5 athletes.
Conclusions
Our findings provide context for baseline VOMS performance in collegiate adapted athletes and identifying modifiers at baseline. Special consideration is warranted on vestibular and oculomotor assessment in adapted and para-sport athletes with a history of concussion and higher functional classifications.