Consequences of adolescent sport-related concussion: exploring long-term cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding long-term consequences (≥5 years) of sport-related concussion (SRC) sustained during adolescence. Adolescent SRC has been linked to athlete considerations of sport participation and subsequent retirement from sport during this critical developmental period. Prolonged SRC symptoms can reduce ability to perform physical activity, and research suggests inactivity can extend years post-injury. Therefore, SRC may affect long-term physical activity, which may result in decreased cardiorespiratory fitness and increased adiposity. OBJECTIVES: (1) To examine cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity and associations with physical activity between three groups: adolescent SRC 5-15 years prior; adolescent musculoskeletal injury (MSK) 5-15 years prior; and individuals who played adolescent sport but were uninjured. (2) To explore whether biological sex-modified relationships assessed by the primary objective. METHODS: multiple linear regression. RESULTS: = 0.642) cohorts relative to the uninjured cohort for both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to maintain adequate long-term cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity following adolescent SRC relative to those who only sustained sport related MSK injuries or did not sustain significant injuries as adolescents/adults.