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A few recent studies, as published in PubMed Central and Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, have shown that balance can be helpful in assessing concussions, especially in [athletes.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6522094/)

A natural question follows regarding whether athletic capabilities could affect balance performance.

Now, a new study in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, [“Examining Balance in College Athletes: Effects of Contact Sport and Concussion Status,”](https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/abstract/2025/11000/examining_balance_in_college_athletes__effects_of.4.aspx) examines how static balance differs among college athletes depending on their sport type (contact vs non-contact) and concussion history.

Using a force plate, researchers from [Johns Hopkins and partner institutions](https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/abstract/2025/11000/examining_balance_in_college_athletes__effects_of.4.aspx) tested balance in patients with different levels of concussion symptom severity and sports.

## Key Findings

- Sport type influences balance: Contact-sport athletes showed significantly different path velocity (PV) compared to non-contact athletes. Path velocity is how fast your body sways while trying to stay balanced.
- Symptom severity matters: Balance measures were significantly correlated with current concussion symptom severity.
- Concussion history alone doesn’t: Simply having a past concussion did not produce significant differences in PV (Path Velocity), ML (Medio-Lateral) Sway, and AP (Antero-Posterior) Sway.

Conclusion from authors: Static balance is shaped more by sport impact type than by concussion history. Clinicians should interpret balance data in context when making return-to-play decisions.

## What This Means

The study highlights that context matters in concussion management. A football or rugby player’s baseline balance may naturally differ from that of a swimmer, regardless of concussion history. This nuance supports a multi-domain approach to assessment, one that goes beyond symptoms or balance alone.

## How EyeBOX Can Help

- [EyeBOX](http://www.oculogica.com/) can provide consistent, objective insight even when athletes under-report or minimize symptoms. [EyeBOX](http://www.oculogica.com/) assesses brain function through eye-movement patterns, giving clinicians an additional data point that’s not influenced by sport type or baseline balance differences. Pairing [EyeBOX](http://www.oculogica.com/) results with balance and symptom checks helps medical teams make safer, evidence-based decisions.

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