B - 37 Are There Differences In Later-In-Life Brain Health Symptoms among Adults Who Previously Played Contact Sports and Noncontact Sports?

Abstract Objectives There is increasing concern that repetitive head impacts sustained during youth contact sports may be associated with potential long-term brain health consequences. This study evaluated health outcomes in adults with a history of exposure to contact sports, noncontact sports, and no sports. Methods A cross-sectional survey study categorized participants based on their prior participation in sports (i.e., contact sports, non-contact sports, and no sports). Outcome variables were scores on the British Columbia Cognitive Complaints Inventory (bc-CCI), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). One-way ANOVA and chi-squared tests assessed group differences, and multivariable linear regressions assessed the effect of sport exposure history and covariates (e.g., age, gender, education, number of prior concussions) on the outcome variables. Results Of the 1100 participants (age: 53.6 ± 17.7; 55% women), individuals with contact sport exposure reported more lifetime concussions (Mcontact = 1.7 ± 2.4, Mnoncontact = 0.8 ± 1.3, Mno sport = 0.7 ± 1.3; p.05). Predictors of higher bc-CCI scores included younger age (p < 0.001), lower education (p < 0.001), and number of lifetime concussions (p < 0.001). Conclusions Although individuals with contact sport exposure reported a greater number of concussions, total years of exposure to contact sports did not predict later-in-life cognitive, depressive, or anxiety symptoms.