Health-promoting behaviours and concussion history are associated with cognitive function, mood-related symptoms and emotional-behavioural dyscontrol in former NFL players: an NFL-LONG Study. Br J Sports Med 2021 Jun;55(12):683-690
Date
01/06/2021Pubmed ID
33397673DOI
10.1136/bjsports-2020-103400Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85099001436 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 23 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships among self-reported sport-related concussion (SRC) history and current health-promoting behaviours (exercise frequency, diet quality and sleep duration) with self-reported measures of brain health (cognitive function, symptoms of depression and anxiety and emotional-behavioural dyscontrol) in former NFL players.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was sent to former NFL players. Respondents reported SRC history (categorical: 0; 1-2; 3-5; 6-9; 10+ concussions), number of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic and resistance exercise sessions per week, diet quality (Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened) and average nightly sleep duration. Outcomes were Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Cognitive Function, Depression, and Anxiety, and Neuro-QoL Emotional-Behavioral Dyscontrol domain T-scores. Multivariable linear regression models were fit for each outcome with SRC history, exercise frequency, diet quality and sleep duration as explanatory variables alongside select covariates.
RESULTS: Multivariable regression models (n=1784) explained approximately 33%-38% of the variance in each outcome. For all outcomes, SRC history (0.144≤|β|≤0.217) was associated with poorer functioning, while exercise frequency (0.064≤|β|≤0.088) and diet quality (0.057≤|β|≤0.086) were associated with better functioning. Sleeping under 6 hours per night (0.061≤|β|≤0.093) was associated with worse depressive symptoms, anxiety and emotional-behavioural dyscontrol.
CONCLUSION: Several variables appear to be associated with mood and perceived cognitive function in former NFL players. SRC history is non-modifiable in former athletes; however, the effects of increasing postplaying career exercise frequency, making dietary improvements, and obtaining adequate sleep represent important potential opportunities for preventative and therapeutic interventions.
Author List
Walton SR, Kerr ZY, Brett BL, Chandran A, DeFreese JD, Smith-Ryan AE, Stoner L, Echemendia RJ, McCrea M, Meehan Iii WP, Guskiewicz KMAuthors
Benjamin Brett PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMichael McCrea PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnxietyBrain Concussion
Cognition
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Diet
Exercise
Football
Health Behavior
Health Promotion
Health Surveys
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Mood Disorders
Neuropsychological Tests
Self Report
Sleep
