Original researchSport concussion assessment tool - 3rd edition - normative reference values for professional ice hockey players

ObjectivesTo determine normative reference values for the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3rd Edition (SCAT3) using a large sample of professional male ice hockey players.DesignA descriptive cross-sectional study.MethodsPreseason baseline testing was administered individually to 304 professional male ice hockey players.ResultsThe participants were aged between 16 and 40 with a mean (M) age of 25.3 years. Over 60% of the athletes reported previous concussion, almost 20% had been hospitalized or medically imaged following a head trauma. Of the players, 48% reported no symptoms. The symptom score median (Md) was 1.0 (M = 1.5) and severity median was 1.0 (M = 2.3). The median of the SAC score was 27.0 (M = 27.0). The median of the M-BESS was 1.0 (M = 2.0). The Tandem gait median was 10.9 s (M = 10.8 s). The most common baseline symptom was neck pain (24%). Delayed recall was the most difficult component of the SAC (Md = 4); only 24% performed it flawlessly. All athletes completed the double-leg stance of the M-BESS without errors, but there was performance variability in the tandem stance (Md = 0, M = 0.6, range = 0-10) and single-leg stance (Md = 1.0, M = 1.4, range = 0-10).ConclusionsRepresentative normative reference values for the SCAT3 among professional male ice hockey players are provided.