Long-term effects of adolescent concussion history on gait, across age

- The current study observed individuals with no concussion history after high school.
- Concussion history groups suffered less than 3 (mean) high school concussions.
- No differences in gait variables or fall history between groups, within age.
- Sustaining less than 3 concussions in adolescence has no observable effect on gait.
- Comparing these results to professional athlete concussion history is ill advised.

The aim of this study was to examine the possible long-term effects of high school concussion history on gait performance across the lifespan. Individuals with and without a concussion history were grouped into 20-year-old (yo) (n = 40), 40yo (n = 19), and 60yo (n = 18) age groups. Participants completed five trials of four walking conditions: a normal walk, a dual task walk, an obstructed walk, and an obstructed, dual task walk. Spatiotemporal gait parameters for gait analyses during single and dual task conditions. Gait velocity, step width, stride length, percent of time in double support, and obstacle toe clearance were the gait variables assessed along with number correct from dual task. Gait was analyzed via optical motion capture. Data were analyzed by two-factor, multivariate ANOVAs and significant interactions were explored using post hoc contrasts. A significant (F = 2.62, p = 0.03) interaction was observed for the obstructed walk condition. Further analyses yielded no significant concussion history and control group differences, within age. The data indicate that an adolescent concussion history has a non-observable effect on gait across the lifespan.