Tracking the athlete's eye Comparing oculomotor metrics with non-athletes
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Abstract
Oculomotor measures provide objective, quantifiable markers of brain health that support the assessment and longitudinal monitoring of concussion outcomes. Athletes may perform differently than non-athletes on these tasks due to sport-specific training, yet existing protocols use normative ranges based on general populations. This study established baseline oculomotor metrics in college athletes using a virtual reality protocol and compared performance to general population normative data. A total of 163 university student-athletes (ages 17-30) completed an eight-subtest protocol assessing smooth pursuit, saccades, vestibular ocular reflex, optokinetic nystagmus, anti-saccades, and spontaneous nystagmus. Results revealed significant differences between athletes and the general population on 28 of 44 metrics, indicating distinct performance levels in head and eye movements. These findings emphasize the need for athlete-specific normative standards to ensure accurate concussion assessment. The normative ranges established provide a foundation for future concussion evaluation and management in athletes, underscoring the critical need to compare athletes to sport-specific rather than general population standards for improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility.
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