A comparison of cognitive-motor integration performance and resting state functional brain network connectivity in female athletes suggests intact motor network and visuomotor skill in those with a concussion history

Structural neural changes following concussion are often not captured by standard imaging techniques. However, there is growing evidence that damage to white matter tracts and change in functional network connectivity may be observed following concussive injury. We investigated behavioural performance on a cognitive-motor integration (CMI) task in conjunction with alterations in resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in brain networks in a population of 30 female varsity athletes, with 16 having a previous history of concussion. Behavioural performance on accuracy, timing, and trajectory measures of a CMI task were assessed between the concussion history group and the control group. Rs-FC within the nodes of the Default Mode Network (DMN), Dorsal Attention Network (DAN), the Frontoparietal Network, and the Anterior Cerebellar Lobule Network, was assessed against performance scores on accuracy, timing, and trajectory measures. Main findings indicate no difference in behavioural performance between those with concussion history and those without, in contrast to previous findings in a group of primarily male varsity athletes. In addition, no difference in rs-FC was noted in correlation with behavioural performance scores on either accuracy, timing, or trajectory. These findings may suggest sex-related differences in performance on a CMI task, and a resiliency in both functional network connectivity and visuomotor skilled performance in varsity female athletes.