Effect of Fatigue on Ocular Motor Assessments

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of exertional fatigue on the scores of two ocular motor tests: the King-Devick (Mayo Clinic, Oakbrook Terrace, IL) and near point of convergence tests. Twenty physically active individuals participated in two sessions (control and fatigue) via a randomized crossover design. During the control session, outcome measures were assessed before and immediately following 20 minutes of rest. The experimental session outcome measures were assessed before and immediately following a 20-minute previously established physical activity fatigue protocol. Analysis of variance testing indicated no significant group x time interaction effect for near point of convergence ( P = .864) and King-Devick ( P = .155) testing. The results of this study suggest that fatigue from physical activity does not affect near point of convergence or King-Devick test scores. Therefore, there is a low risk of a false-positive concussion diagnosis due to fatigue during immediate sideline evaluation using these ocular motor assessments. [ Athletic Training & Sports Health Care . 2017;9(4):177-183.]