Disclosures: Altamash E. Raja, DO: Nothing to disclose

Objective: While evaluating athletes without baseline assessments, level of competition can serve as valuable information for diagnosis and management of sports-related concussion. However, current concussion assessment tools do not account for competition level. This study uses the Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs (PANESS) to evaluate differences in subtle motor performance among athletes at varying levels of competition.

Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Institutional

Participants: Twenty-three uninjured neurotypical controls of ages 13-17 years with a history of participating in either school or travel level sports (n=12) versus recreational league or no sports (n=11). Twenty age-matched adolescents who were medically cleared as recovered following concussion with a history of pre-injury participation in school or travel sports (n=16) versus recreational league or those not participating in sports (n=4).

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: PANESS Total Scores

Results: In uninjured controls, athletes participating at the school or travel level had better PANESS scores compared to recreational athletes or those who did not participate in sports (t (21) = -2.8, P=.01). These patterns were consistent in athletes who had recovered from a concussion, such that of the previously injured athletes, PANESS scores were better for athletes competing for a school or travel team compared to recreational athletes or adolescents who played no sports (t (19) = -2.9, P=.009).

Conclusions: Athletes competing at a higher level of competition had better subtle motor function. Competition level should be taken into consideration during diagnosis and management of sports-related concussion.

Level of Evidence: Level III

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/subtle-motor-performance-varies-based-on-level-of-competition-in-athletes/