Predictors and Correlates of Perceived Cognitive Decline in Retired Professional Rugby League Players

Abstract

Objective: Rugby league is an international full-contact sport, with frequent concussive injuries. Participation in other full-contact sports such as American football has been considered to be a risk factor for neuropsychiatric sequelae later-in-life, but little research has addressed the mental and cognitive health of retired professional rugby league players. We examined predictors and correlates of perceived (self-reported) cognitive decline in retired National Rugby League (NRL) players.Methods: Participants were 133 retired male elite level rugby league players in Australia. Participants completed clinical interviews, neuropsychological testing, and self-report measures. The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, self-report (IQCODE-Self), measured perceived cognitive decline.Results: The median age of the sample was 55.0 (M = 53.1, SD = 13.9, range = 30–89) and the median years of education completed was 12.0 (M = 11.9, SD = 2.6, range = 7–18). The retired players reported a median of 15.0 total lifetime concussions (M = 28.0, SD = 36.6, range = 0–200). The mean IQCODE-Self score was 3.2 (SD = 0.5; Range = 1.3–5.0); 10/133 (7.5%) and 38/133 (28.6%) scored above conservative and liberal cutoffs for cognitive decline on the IQCODE-Self, respectively. Perceived cognitive decline was positively correlated with current depressive symptoms, negatively correlated with years of professional sport exposure and resilience, and unrelated to objective cognition and number of self-reported concussions. A multiple regression model with perceived cognitive decline regressed on age, concussion history, professional rugby league exposure, depression, resilience, objective cognitive functioning, daytime sleepiness, and pain severity showed depression as the only significant predictor.Conclusion: This is the first large study examining subjectively experienced cognitive decline in retired professional rugby league players. Similar to studies from the general population and specialty clinics, no relationship was found between objective cognitive test performance and perceived cognitive decline. Depressive symptoms emerged as the strongest predictor of perceived cognitive decline, suggesting that subjective reports of worsening cognition in retired elite rugby league players might reflect psychological distress rather than current cognitive impairment.

Health conditions among retired elite rugby players: a scoping review

“…Subsequently, 37 articles were exluded due to having the incorrect outcome (6), incorrect population (10), incorrect study design (3), incorrect publication type (16) or the results were presented in another included study (2). Ultimately, 16 studies were included in the scoping review 2 3 9 13 21–32…”

“…An appropriate statistical analysis was given in four studies 25 27–29. In the other 12 studies, there was no 95% CI provided with the prevalence rates 3 9 13 21–26 30–33. In 10 studies, the response rate was not described 2 3 13 21 24 26 27 30–32.…”

“…In the other 12 studies, there was no 95% CI provided with the prevalence rates 3 9 13 21–26 30–33. In 10 studies, the response rate was not described 2 3 13 21 24 26 27 30–32. The full results of the critical appraisal are presented in online supplemental appendix S3C.…”

“…Six articles described the prevalence of the following neurocognitive health conditions: neurological abnormalities, dementia, neurological disease, mild cognitive disorder, cognitive decline, the presence of abnormal cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and Parkinson’s disease 9 21 22 28 30 31. The studies used questionnaires, standardised assessment tools and MRI scans to obtain information.…”

Analysis of Effects of Risk Factors and Disease History on Cognitive Levels of Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Previous studies have revealed several factors correlated with motor cognitive risk; functional limitations of the lower or upper extremities, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, fatigue, and a history of hypertension were found to be signi cantly associated with motor cognitive risk [10]. Other studies have shown that predictors of cognitive function are age, history of illness, depression, and resilience [11].Addressing this cognitive decline should begin as early as possible, in the form of prevention or efforts to maintain cognitive function among the older adult population. One effort that can be made is identifying and controlling factors that can affect cognitive function in older adults [12].…”