Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology
Abstract Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in p...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-12-01
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| Series: | npj Digital Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00538-w |
| _version_ | 1797428698344849408 |
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| author | Dylan Powell Sam Stuart Alan Godfrey |
| author_facet | Dylan Powell Sam Stuart Alan Godfrey |
| author_sort | Dylan Powell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:02:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3d654eb54bd4e82ac87e3d437942138 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2398-6352 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:02:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Digital Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3d654eb54bd4e82ac87e3d4379421382023-12-02T11:18:07ZengNature Portfolionpj Digital Medicine2398-63522021-12-01411810.1038/s41746-021-00538-wSports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technologyDylan Powell0Sam Stuart1Alan Godfrey2Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria UniversityDepartment of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria UniversityDepartment of Computer and Information Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria UniversityAbstract Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00538-w |
| spellingShingle | Dylan Powell Sam Stuart Alan Godfrey Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology npj Digital Medicine |
| title | Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| title_full | Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| title_fullStr | Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| title_short | Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| title_sort | sports related concussion an emerging era in digital sports technology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00538-w |
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