The focus of the seminar series is to call for experts related to academia and research in the areas related to biomechanics, variability, motor disorders, physical therapy, and related studies.

Presentation Title: Advanced Methods of Sport-Related Concussion Diagnosis

Presentation Abstract:

The incidence of sport-related concussions (SRC; mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI)) is between 1.6 and 3.8 million annually in the USA (Langlois et al., 2006). SRC are associated to several symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, etc. (e.g., Patricios et al., 2023). Motoric deficits such as postural control dysfunction constitutes a core symptom of mTBI (e.g., Kleffelgaard et al., 2012). Balance problems are present 30% of the time following a concussive injury (Guskiewicz, 2011) and can remain for weeks or even years after an incident (e.g., Broglio & Puetz, 2008). This applies equally to athletes with and without disabilities. However, thus far diagnostic methods have been mostly re-stricted in the application of disabled athletes. The aim of my research/presentation therefore focuses on investigating motor behavioral parameters of post-concussion symptoms in athletes with and without disabilities. I will present data from previous studies (Helmich et al 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024) that assessed post-concussion difficulties with neuroimaging, neuropsychologiocal, and movement scientific methods. In the second part of the presentation, I will present a case study of an Olympic swimmer with dysmelia showing how advanced methods of SRC diagnosis can be applied in athletes with disabilities. Thus, the aim of the talk is to provide you with a better understanding of sport-related concussions and motor behaviors that can be used for an improved diagnosis of SRC. 

About the speaker:

Dr. Ingo Helmich, assistant professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith College, received his M.S. degree in exercise science from Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, and his Ph.D. from the German Sport University Cologne, Germany. At the German Sport University, Helmich was an assistant professor for motor behavior in sports, studying the effects of sport-related concussions on brain health. He also worked as a substitute professor at the University of Goettingen, in the Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Sciences. His scientific work focuses on human movement neuroscience through the combination of neuropsychology, motor cognition, and neuroimaging.