Effects of football practice on blink reflex parameters in Division I football athletes

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective was to access the effects of football practice sessions on blink reflex parameters using the Eyestat.BackgroundOur laboratory has utilized a potential objective measure to identify concussions. This technology, called Eyestat, is a noninvasive diagnostic tool measuring changes in blink reflex parameters. Prior research cited significant differences in various blink reflex parameters between active play, concussion, and baseline; however, the number of subjects for the active play population was small (N = 10). Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify blink reflex parameters during football practice, providing outcomes potentially helpful with its use for a concussed population.Design/MethodsForty-seven Division I male football players between the ages of 18-22 were evaluated on multiple sessions during a 2 week period of football practices. During various points of the practice, subjects completed the blink test and had their heart rate assessed. During the blink test, subjects placed their face against the apparatus, which directed a puff of air to the corner of the subject’s eye to stimulate the blink. Five puffs were administered in a random fashion over a 20 second period in which videography captured and recorded the blink.ResultsResults of the study found significant differences in latency (p = 0.0000), time under the threshold (p = 0.0176), oscillations (p = 0.0217) and excursion (p = 0.0003), but no significant differences in differential latency (p = 0.0626). Average heart rate was 125 BPM, with a minimum of 72 BPM and maximum of 172 BPM. The results of this study correlate with prior research in latency, time under the threshold and excursions and support the changes in blink reflex parameters after football practice.ConclusionsFuture studies need to assess if changes occur with individual physical activity or is it related only to the practice of this sport.