9. Speed and Stability: Oculomotor Function, Balance, and Cognitive Performance in Elite Short-Track Speed Skaters
Abstract
Recent evidence supports a multimodal approach in the assessment and management of concussions, however, less is known about the associations between performance on oculomotor, balance, and cognitive tests in elite athletes. The objective of the current study was to explore these associations among elite short-track speed skaters at baseline. An observational study of 34 elite/international-level short-track speed skaters (N female=17; M age=20.37±2.82 years, 16.30-26.70 years) from a Canadian sport institute who completed pre-season testing. Basic and cognitive oculomotor functions were measured by eye tracking technology (RightEye), balance by postural sway detected by computerized force platforms (Biodex Balance System), and cognitive performance by computerized tasks of attention and executive functioning (Vienna Test System). Phi correlations were used to explore associations between high performance (≥75th percentile) on oculomotor, balance, and cognitive tasks, as well as low performance (≤ 25th percentile). High performance on smooth pursuit tasks was associated with high performance on balance measures (Φ>.42, ps<.01). High performance on fixation and cognitive oculomotor tasks was associated with high performance on inhibition and sustained attention tasks, respectively (Φ>.42, ps<.01). Low performance on balance measures was associated with low performance on working memory and sustained attention tasks (Φ>.40, ps<.01). Lastly, low performance on smooth pursuit, saccades, and cognitive oculomotor tasks was associated with low performance on selective attention, sustained attention, and planning ability measures (Φ>.43, ps<.01). These findings suggest that associations exist between oculomotor function, balance, and cognitive performance. Future research should explore these associations post-concussion and examine whether oculomotor functioning may underly post-concussion cognitive deficits.