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Objective In a retrospective cohort, we evaluated whether age beginning tackle football (ABTF) and more total years of playing football (TYPF) were associated with worse later-in-life neuropsychological change among older retired National Football League (NFL) players. Method Participants were 19 older NFL retirees aged 54–79, including 12 who returned for follow-up evaluation 15–51 months later. Mixed-linear models evaluated the association between ABTF/TYFP and baseline neuropsychological composite scores (executive functioning/attention/speed, language, memory), and neuropsychological composites over time. Results ABTF and TYPF were not significantly associated with neuropsychological composites at baseline or over time (all p 's > .05). There were no significant differences in neuropsychological performance between those ABTF <12 and ≥ 12 years old (all p 's ≥ .475) or between those with TYPF <19 or ≥ 19 years played (median split; all p 's ≥ .208). Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that ABTF and TYPF does not worsen neurocognitive decline later-in-life among older NFL retirees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Variability in recovery time following sport-related concussion (SRC) is poorly understood. We explored the utility of brief mood, anxiety, and sleep questionnaires as postinjury predictors of SRC symptom clearance in adolescents. Method At initial visit 0–2 weeks postinjury, concussed athletes aged 12–18 years self-reported injury/medical factors (prior concussion, loss of consciousness, amnesia, and concussion symptom severity) and were administered psychological symptom measures. At 3 months, medical record review determined return-to-play (RTP) date. Subjects were divided into two datasets, with the first utilized for developing cutoff scores and then validated with the second dataset. Results A total of 64% of the 141 participants had early RTP (within 21 days postinjury), and 23% had late RTP (postinjury day 30 or later). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7, M  = 2.1, SD  = 3.1) was the only significant predictor (p  = .001), with a 1.4-fold [95% CI 1.2–1.8] increased risk for every point. No other factors in the full model discriminated recovery groups (p s > .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis derived a GAD-7 cut score ≥3 (sensitivity= 56.7%, specificity = 74.2%, AUCs = 0.63–0.79, p s < .001). Conclusions Postconcussion anxiety symptoms may help identify individuals at increased risk for prolonged recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]