Persistent deficits in dynamic postural control despite concussion clinical recovery

Sports related concussions are managed clinically; however, recent evidence suggests persistent deficits beyond clinical recovery. Nineteen intercollegiate student-athletes performed 5 trails of gait initiation (GI) prior to the concussion (baseline) and again on the day they returned to participation (RTP). The primary outcome variables were the center of pressure (COP) displacement in the posterior and lateral directions during the anticipatory postural adjustment phase (APA) of GI as well as the initial step length and velocity. There was a significant difference in the lateral COP displacement (p< 0.001) between baseline and RTP. There were no differences in initial step length, step velocity, or posterior COP displacement. These results suggest that there are some deficits in dynamic postural control which persist beyond clinical recovery and RTP.