Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a complex injury impacting brain function, as well as balance. It is estimated that up to 3.8 million SRCs occur each year, and as many as 50% go unreported in high school because the symptoms are unrecognized or minimized by the athlete. The incidence of SRC can be as high as 38.4% of all injuries in some sports. To date, no objective biomarker has been identified to help diagnose a concussion, therefore clinicians are forced to rely on the following: observed mechanism of injury, signs identified by the medical practitioner, and/or symptoms self-reported by the athlete. Given the lack of objective testing and standardization for SRC management, identifying reliable and valid assessment is warranted. Specifically, the role of balance testing within a comprehensive concussion management program may have clinical utility in this complex condition. Reliable and valid balance measures could be utilized ad repeated within the athlete at pre-season (pre-injury), during rehabilitation, and used to assist with return-to-play decisions.
