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Resch

A computerized testing system commonly used to evaluate sports-related concussions misclassified up to 29 percent of healthy participants in a recent study led by COE alumnus Jacob Resch (PhD, ’10), now a University of Texas at Arlington kinesiology researcher.

The results from the study of the ImPACT computerized neuropsychological testing system emphasize the need for multiple types of assessments, said Resch, an assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the University’s Brain Injury Laboratory. During the study, the system had “only poor to good reliability” in 45 healthy participants, he said.

Resch’s findings were presented in late June at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association annual meeting and clinical symposia in New Orleans.

Concussion assessment and management has become a national concern in recent years as former National Football League players and their families have come forward with personal tales of the lasting impact of hard hits. Legislators, national sports organizations and parents of children seriously injured have called for a cultural change in how brain injuries are diagnosed and treated.

The study was part of the work Resch did while earning his doctorate in exercise science at UGA. The study was co-authored by UGA faculty members Cathy Brown Crowell, Ted Baumgartner and Mike Ferrara, as well as KM Walpert (Georgia Neurological Surgery) and SN Macciocchi (Shepherd Center).

See University of Texas-Arlington article.