Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the effect of concussion on upper and
lower body strength in children and youth athletes. The participant group was made
up of 178 unique male and female ice hockey players (ages 8–14 years). Using a 3-year
prospective longitudinal research design, baseline and post-concussion data on hand
grip strength, jump tests, and leg maximal voluntary contraction were collected. Using
a linear mixed-effects model, no significant differences were found when comparing
the baseline strength performance of individuals who went on to experience a concussion
and those who did not. When accounting for sex, multiple concussions, and ongoing
changes in strength associated with age, weaker hand grip scores were found following
concussion while participants were still symptomatic. Lower squat jump heights were
achieved while participants were symptomatic as well as when they were no longer self-reporting
symptoms associated with concussion. This study represents an initial step towards
better understanding strength performance following concussion that may limit the
on and off ice performance of youth ice hockey players, as well as predispose youth
to subsequent injuries.
Key words
mild traumatic brain injury - pediatric - return to play
