A - 33 Examining Neurocognitive Effects of Contact Exposure in High School Athletes.

This article examines the neurocognitive effects of extended participation in high-contact versus low- or non-contact sports among high school athletes using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). The study involved 1,650 athletes aged 14–18 without a history of concussion, tested twice over an average interval of 20 months during active sport participation. Results showed no meaningful differences in neurocognitive performance between high-contact and low-contact sport groups, with both groups exhibiting mild to moderate practice effects over time. These findings align with recent literature indicating no increased risk of neurological or neurocognitive disease in amateur contact athletes later in life. The authors suggest that future research should include longer follow-up periods and additional measures such as mental health assessments and biomarkers to better understand the risks associated with contact sport exposure.