TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Shi, Shengying
AU  -  Cheng, Dandan
T1  -  Cognitive impairment as a result of sports brain injuries
PY  -  2026
Y1  -  2026-06-01
JO  -  Medicina dello Sport
JA  -  Med Sport
VL  -  79
IS  -  2
SP  -  83
EP  -  99
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  1827-1863
Y2  -  2026/07/24
N2  -  Summary. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of cognitive impairments in athletes following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with subsequent substantiation of effective approaches for their prevention and remediation. The research systematised and classified cognitive impairments by temporal progression and severity, identifying patterns in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of traumatic cognitive dysfunctions. Acute cognitive impairments were characterised by deficits in short-term memory, reduced processing speed, attention and concentration disturbances, and executive dysfunction, occurring in 90% of mild concussions. Among these, 80-90% of athletes experienced symptom resolution within 7-14 days. It was established that 10-15% of adult athletes and 15-30% of children and adolescents exhibit persistent post-concussion symptoms. Sex differences were observed, with female athletes showing prolonged recovery periods and more pronounced cognitive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. The critical role of cognitive reserve as a protective factor was confirmed, alongside a threefold increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases among professional contact sport athletes, as evidenced by long-term epidemiological observations. Neuroimaging and biomarker correlates of cognitive dysfunction were analysed, supporting the organic nature of the impairments through detection of microstructural changes in white matter via diffusion tensor imaging and the dynamic alterations of specific neurobiomarkers (glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain, S100B calcium-binding protein, and tau protein). The findings provide an evidence-based foundation for personalised prevention and rehabilitation strategies for sports-related TBIs, incorporating individual risk factors and forming a conceptual basis for an integrated interdisciplinary approach to athlete healthcare.
ER  -