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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2785-7470
Clinical Sciences

Sport Participation Type and Cognitive Function in Collegiate Student-Athletes

Authors

  • Zarek O. Harper

    1   Otolaryngology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN2511)

  • Melissa N. Anderson

    2   College of Health Sciences & Professions, Ohio University, Athens, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN1354)

  • Margot Putukian

    3   Medical, Major League Soccer, Princeton, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN565038)

  • Barry Bodt

    4   College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN5972)

  • Paul F. Pasquina

    5   Rehabilitation, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN1685)

  • Michael McCrea

    6   Neuropsychology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN5506)

  • Thomas W. McAllister

    7   Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)

  • Steven P. Broglio

    8   Michigan NeuroSport, Neurotrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN1259)

  • Thomas A. Buckley

    9   Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN5972)

Supported by: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 1R21NS122033
Supported by: U.S. Department of Defense W81XWH1420151
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Abstract

Considerable concerns have been raised regarding potential neurocognitive deficits associated with participation in contact and collision sports. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of sport-type participation on cognitive performance during the trail making test. We assessed 543 student-athletes from two universities, classified as collision, contact, or non-contact sport athletes, who performed the trail making test. Three analyses of covariance compared performance with common confounders as covariates. There was no difference between trail making test-A (p=0.381) and trail making test-B (p =0.063) times. There was a significant main effect for trail making test difference performance (non-contact: 17.3+9.1 s, contact: 20.1+10.5 s, and collision: 24.3+11.8 s; F=6.278, p=0.002, and η p 2=0.020). There was a significant post-hoc difference only between the contact/collision and non-contact groups (p=0.001 and d=0.66). Collision sport athletes exhibited worse trail making test difference performance, warranting ongoing cognitive assessments with longitudinal designs. However, collision sport athlete’s performance was better than general college students supporting the positive benefits of physical activity on cognitive performance.

Keywords

Repetitive head impacts - subconcussive - neurocognition


Publication History

Received: 01 August 2025

Accepted after revision: 09 January 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 January 2026

Article published online:
03 February 2026

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