Quantification of Balance in Acutely Concussed Athletes

The purpose of this pilot project is to determine whether using inertial sensors (ipod like device) placed on the waist during routine clinical balance testing (i.e. Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), will be a more immediate, objective, reliable and sensitive way to measure and quantify balance deficits in individuals with mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). The investigators are also trying to observe if the sensors can be used to detect balance recovery after a mTBI.

The participants will be recruited through the local university's athletic department.

The participants will undergo balance tests from the BESS test while wearing a sensor around their waist.The BESS consists of different balance tests; such as balancing on one leg and tandem standing. The participants will also answer questionnaires about their daily lives and cognitive tests. If the participant has had a mTBI they will complete questionnaires about symptoms from their injury and may perform an additional IMPACT test which is a computerized cognitive tests used by coaches, athletic trainers and managing physicians.

Along with the clinical balance tests and questionnaires, the project will use a small sensor placed on the waist to detect sway during quiet stance. An automatic analysis will occur which will provide us with immediate feedback on how stable the participant is during testing.

Inclusion criteria

• Collegiate athlete

Exclusion criteria

• Not a current collegiate athlete,
• recent orthopedic surgery