Gaze stability in youth athletes: A normative observational study.

BACKGROUND The Gaze Stabilization Test (GST) assesses vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function by determining the maximum head velocity at which an individual can accurately perceive a fixed-size visual target. There is limited information about gaze stability performance in youth athletes. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe baseline performance of athletes ages 18 years and under on a computerized GST and explore the influence of demographic characteristics on performance. METHODS Baseline GST and demographic data were acquired via retrospective chart review. RESULTS The sample included 106 athletes aged 8 to 18 years (mean 13.9 years±1.79; 78% male). The median values for baseline GST function were 180 (IQ: 150-210) degrees per second (d/sec) in the leftward direction, and 190 d/sec (IQR: 160-220) in the rightward direction. There were no significant effects of sex/gender or concussion history on GST performance. CONCLUSIONS The GST is one of many tools available for clinicians to use in a multi-modal approach to concussion management. Understanding how healthy young athletes perform can assist clinicians in determining vestibular impairment, formulating the exercise prescription, and estimating physiologic recovery.