The Hidden Impact of Concussions: Cognitive and Balance Recovery in Male Adolescent Hockey Players

Ice hockey is a high-impact sport with an inherent risk of concussions due to body checking, high-speed collisions, and falls. Despite these advancements, concussions remain a significant concern, particularly among adolescent players who may be more vulnerable to long-term effects.This study aimed to evaluate trends in concussion screening outcomes among adolescent ice hockey players over a six-year period (2017-2023).Eleven male adolescent ice hockey players (15.7 + 3.0 years old) completed a baseline concussion assessment, concussion screening for injury, and follow up concussion assessments between 2017-2023. Concussion screening included the SCAT5 assessing orientation, immediate memory, concentration, delayed recall, and balance using the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS). A cognitive score was calculated by adding orientation, immediate memory, concentration, and delayed recall scores. A repeated measures analysis using SPSS 28 and Excel illustrated cognitive performance varied across individuals and testing phases, with noticeable changes in scores following a concussion. Some areas of cognitive function were more affected than others, and while most subjects showed improvements over time, not all returned to their original baseline levels. Although not statistically significant (p=0.57), data trends suggest that balance scores did not return to baseline levels following a concussive injury. The findings suggest that concussions impacts cognitive function, particularly in areas related to memory and concentration. These results highlight the importance of careful monitoring and individualized recovery plans for concussion patients. Many other variables, such as individual differences, external factors, and recovery time, should be considered when interpreting these results