Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2025 May 23;78:103361. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103361. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Deficits in vestibulo-ocular function have been reported in athletes following concussion and in healthy developing adolescent athletes. There is a known increase in injury risk in athletes returning to sport following concussion; however, the relationship between vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in adolescents and injury risk is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine i) the prevalence of vestibulo-ocular dysfunction and ii) the relationship between vestibulo-ocular dysfunction and playing season injuries in adolescent rugby union players.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
METHOD: Seventy-one male adolescent rugby union players were recruited from four schools in Queensland, Australia. In the preseason, clinical assessments of oculomotor and vestibular function were conducted. ‘Time-loss’ injuries were recorded during the season. Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson’s chi-square test with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: In preseason assessment, 40 players (57 %) had one or more, and of these, 18 players (25.7 %) had two or more positive vestibular and oculomotor findings indicating vestibulo-ocular dysfunction. There were 39 injuries sustained by 33 players during the season. No between group differences for vestibulo-ocular function were found between players who did and did not sustain an in-season injury (p = 0.55).
CONCLUSION: Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction is common in male adolescent rugby union players and positive findings should include comparison with baseline function or symptom profile. The wider impact of vestibulo-ocular dysfunction on sporting performance in adolescents is unknown.
PMID:40440952 | DOI:10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103361
