Sports-related concussions & sub-concussive impacts in athletes: Incidence, diagnosis, and the emerging role of EPA & DHA
Cody A.C. Lust, Physiologie appliquée, nutrition et métabolisme 02 March 2020.
Sports-related concussions (SRC) are a traumatic brain injury induced as the result of a biomechanical force to the body which temporarily impairs neurological functions. Not all traumatic impacts reach the threshold necessary to produce concussive symptoms, however, the culmination of these events are known as sub-concussive impact(s) (SCI). Athletes who have been diagnosed with a SRC, or those who accumulate multiple SCI have exhibited structural damage to the brain, impairments to learning and memory, and an increase in depressive symptoms. This area is rapidly evolving and current clinical definitions of injury, diagnosis and treatment of SRC and SCI are reviewed. In tandem, there is also growing research examining the role of nutrition in brain injuries focused primarily on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The potential role of which eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduce inflammation and promote recovery following brain injury are also reviewed. Overall, advancements in the evaluation of SRC and SCI coupled with n-3 PUFA supplementation shows promise in the management of brain injuries leading to better long-term health outcomes for athletes.
Bullet Points:
• SRC have garnered widespread attention due to the growing body of reported prevalence in youth and professional sports.
• Current definitions and protocol(s) for diagnosing SRC and SCI have improved, but still require further evaluation.
• n-3, EPA and DHA, reduce inflammation and promote recovery following brain injuries in experimental models.
