RELIABILITY AND SEX DIFFERENCES OF CHOICE VISUAL-MOTOR REACTION TIME AND FORCE CHARACTERISTICS OF NECK MUSCLES USING A NOVEL TEST
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction
Sensorimotor characteristics such as visual-motor reaction time (VMRT), peak force, and rate of force development (RFD) of the neck muscles play an important role in sports-related concussions (SRC). The purpose of this study was to establish reliability and sex differences of neck-specific VMRT and force characteristics of neck muscles using a novel test.
Methods
This is a two-part study. A total of 15 subjects and 49 subjects participated to examine test–retest reliability and sex differences in multidirectional choice VMRT and peak force and RFD values, respectively.
Results
Reliability was moderate for VMRT (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC = 0.406–0.624) and moderate to excellent for peak force and RFD (ICC = 0.443–0.948). Females had significantly slower VMRT (P < 0.001–0.012), while no sex differences were found in peak force and RFD (P = 0.079–0.763).
Discussion
Future investigations should incorporate these characteristics during baseline testing and examine if they can be identified as prospective risk factors of SRC.
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References
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