Test-retest stability of a sport-specific neurocognitive task in soccer players: implications for baseline concussion assessment

Sport-related concussion management often relies on baseline testing and repeated cognitive assessment. The reliability of such assessments can be compromised by the practice effect whereby performance improves with repeated administrations, and invalid baselines (‘sandbagging’), both of which can mask any future concussion-related deficit. This study examined the stability of performance across repeated administrations of SENIC (Simulation ENgageante Immersive et Cognitive), a novel approach to neurocognitive assessment. Participants included male and female soccer players who completed the SENIC task, that is, detecting sport-specific stimuli in video sequences over three, four, or five sessions. The study found relatively stable performance in percentage detection, number of false alarms and response time, with little practice effect over repeated testing. The results suggest that SENIC is relatively resistant to practice effects, which is promising for repeated baseline assessment, although test–retest reliability was moderate. Moreover, the relative consistency of performance on this task provides a stable reference against which atypical baseline performance could be evaluated in future studies of deliberate underperformance.