To investigate the relation between mechanism of injury and pediatric concussion outcomes. We hypothesize that individuals injured during sport (sport related concussions; SRC’s) will demonstrate better outcomes than those with non-sport injuries (mild Traumatic Brain Injuries; mTBI’s), specifically in terms of clinical symptoms, mental health, cognition, and cardio-autonomic function.

Concussions are a growing health concern; however, little is known how different injury etiologies (sport vs. non-sport) effect recovery. Therefore, it is critical to better understand how different injury etiologies effect recovery from concussion to more efficiently guide clinical practices.

Data collected from a local pediatric concussion clinic were analyzed. SRC and mTBI participants were matched on key demographics (age, body mass index, education) and injury characteristics (time between injury and clinical evaluations, prior history of concussion, pre- and post-injury physical activity). Clinical symptoms were measured using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire (R-PCS). Mental health was measured using the Beck Youth Inventory of Depression (BYI-D). Cognition was measured using a modified CogState Brain Injury Test Battery. Cardio-autonomic function was assessed via heart rate variability (HRV). Participants were evaluated during the acute phase of injury, and again in the post-acute phase.

At both time points, adolescents with mTBI reported greater clinical and depressive symptoms than those with an SRC (p’s<.05). During the acute phase, adolescents with SRC and mTBI significantly differed on multiple metrics of heart rate variability (p’s<.05). There were no group differences in cognition at either time point.

Our results suggest those incurring a SRC may demonstrate better outcomes than those incurring an mTBI. Future longitudinal research including baseline measurements is necessary to determine the validity of these findings.