Neurocognitive Performance, Vestibulo-Ocular Function and Postural Control in Youth Male Soccer and Basketball Players of Different Ages.

* Purpose: Neurocognitive, vestibulo-ocular, and balance assessments can assist in screening and management of potential sports-related concussions. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the effect of age on neurocognitive performance, vestibulo-ocular function, dynamic visual acuity, and postural control in high-level adolescent ball sport athletes. * Methods: In 139 male adolescent soccer and basketball players (under-11, under-15, under-19) assessments of neurocognitive performance (CNS Vital Signs), vestibulo-ocular reflex (video head impulse test), dynamic visual acuity (dynamic visual acuity test), and postural control (stability evaluation test) were performed. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests (post-hoc Bonferroni correction) were used for comparisons between age groups. * Results: Neurocognitive functioning (composite memory, psychomotor speed, reaction time, complex attention, cognitive flexibility, processing speed; p<0.008, η²=0.24 to 0.71), vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (p=0.018, η²=0.06), dynamic visual acuity loss (p<0.001, η²=0.11), and sway velocity (p<0.001, η²=0.36) differed significantly between age groups. Medium to large effects, with better performance in older compared to under-11 males, were found. * Conclusion: Under-11 male athletes revealed considerably lower neurocognitive, vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic visual acuity, and postural control performance compared to older youth athletes. Hence, this age group should be tested in smaller intervals to assess age-adequate performance and post-injury impairment. Further longitudinal studies may aid in the development of normative vestibulo-ocular reflex gain, dynamic visual acuity, and sway velocity values for ball sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]