665 EP092 – Can neurocognitive functions influence the risk for sport injuries? A meta-analysis

Background Psychological factors are suggested to increase the risk of sport injuries. Neurocognitive functions are, within several theoretical models, suggested to be one important psychological risk factor (e.g., Williams & Andersen, 1998). It is, therefore, important to review the empirical evidence for the association between neurocognitive functions and injury risk. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to identify and systematically review studies examining neurocognitive functions as risk factors for sport injuries and examine the effect sizes of relationships between neurocognitive functions injury rates. Design The five largest databases were searched for prospective studies investigating the association between neurocognitive functions and the risk for traumatic injuries. A total of 4206 record were identified in the search procedure. Setting Studies that were published in peer review journals were included. Patients/Interventions/Main Outcome Measurements Not applicable Results Nine studies that reported 26 effect sizes were included. The results showed that better neurocognitive functions are associated with a decreased risk for injuries (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.91). Conclusions The results showed that poorer neurocognitive functions can increase the risk for sport injuries. Neurocognitive training should, therefore, be considered within the injury preventive work.