Online longitudinal monitoring of brain health in former contact sport athletes: A study of acceptability and ethicality

Boucher, Ellen Frances, Grey, Michael J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3216-3272, Hornberger, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2214-3788 and Hanson, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4751-8248 (2024) Online longitudinal monitoring of brain health in former contact sport athletes: A study of acceptability and ethicality. European Journal of Sport Science, 24 (5). pp. 549-556. ISSN 1746-1391

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Abstract

Retrospective studies reveal that retired professional football players are at an increased risk of dementia. Prospective, longitudinal evidence in athletes diverse in sex, playing level, age and sport are now needed to understand the link between contact sport and dementia. The SCORES (Screening Cognitive Outcomes after Repetitive head impact Exposure in Sport) project investigates brain health online of former contact and non-contact sport athletes as they age. Longitudinal study success is dependent on recruitment and retention. Both are influenced by perceived acceptability of participation. The SCORES project also offers regular feedback on assessment performance to participants, which raises ethical challenges. This study was designed to explore acceptability of the SCORES project to improve recruitment, retention and ensure ethicality amongst participants. Eight participants were purposively sampled and interviewed based on Sekhon's theoretical framework for assessing acceptability. Responses were analysed deductively against this framework. Main findings were that promoting altruistic and personal benefits of participation could aid recruitment. Conversely, computer literacy and the possibility of discovering a decline in their brain health was a potential barrier. Participants identified clarity of instructions, regular non-intrusive researcher contact, low assessment burden, emphasis on participation as voluntary and the promotion of a community as avenues towards improving retention. They identified assessment frustration and challenging assessments as possible reasons for attrition. Participants viewed feedback as both necessary and important and made suggestions for ensuring ethicality. Findings from this study demonstrate how longitudinal online studies of athletes can be improved to aid recruitment, retention and ethicality.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: assessment,cognition,ethics,health,methodology,assessment,cognition,health,ethics,methodology,physical therapy, sports therapy and rehabilitation,orthopedics and sports medicine ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3600/3612
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 03 Nov 2023 03:21
Last Modified: 08 May 2024 08:21
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/93542
DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12052

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