My background lecturing in ATU (Galway City) and co-founder of the Irish Concussion Research Centre Irish Concussion Research Centre – Atlantic Technological University based in ATU.
Research Project
After presenting research findings on concussion mechanisms in sport at the NSCA Tactical Conference (Norfolk, USA) two years ago. We began working with performance specialists (mainly strength and conditioning coaches) who focus on military personnel combat readiness. A common area of interest was concussion incidence predominantly caused by blast overpressure (BOP), these initial discussions centred on symptom management, recovery timelines and facilitating the recovery of operators in austere conditions.
The coaches we are working with are based in the US and Canadian military systems, yet they shared common experiences of injury management specifically in relation to concussion and mTBI. Similar to sports settings, where oftentimes mTBI identification, symptom management, reporting of mTBI incidence, return to play can be haphazard, or may not have a coordinated approach.
The same complex issues can be observed in military settings where similar disconnects arise around identification, reporting and management. This formed the basis of our recently published article which reviewed ‘Holistic Performance Programming’ in military settings Holistic Performance Programming for mTBI Recovery in U.S. Military Tactical Athletes: A Narrative Review
Within these military or tactical athlete settings, the onus for strength and conditioning coaches or subject matter experts (SMEs), is facilitating recovery with a combined approach. The role of SMEs in identifying and monitoring mTBI and developing interdisciplinary care models which integrate clinical care, performance expertise and a structured recovery pathway are integral. SMEs can assist in reintegration by acknowledging the importance of flexibility, communication, and enabling service member engagement.
Take-Homes and Applications
By integrating physical, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, and sleep-related strategies, this approach may reduce fragmented care and better address the complex nature of mTBI recovery. Interdisciplinary performance teams may improve early recognition, individualised rehabilitation, safer return-to-duty. In addition, there is latitude to assess the potential use of biomarkers, wearable technologies, and multi-domain assessment tools to guide individualised recovery. Holistic performance programming may bridge the gap between clinical recovery and operational readiness following mTBI.
Author Bio
Principal investigator (PI) and co-founder of the ICRC (Irish Concussion Research Centre); researching mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in terms of identification, management and recovery in athletic populations and military personnel. His main focus is on the evaluation and development of objective assessment tools for brain health using brain impact modelling, artificial intelligence, nutritional interventions and concussion mitigation strategies. He is active in mTBI advocacy at national and international level particularly in the democratisation of access to treatment for individuals who suffer long term post-concussion symptomology, early onset dementia and for people who have experienced family members diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
ORCID – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6548-963
LinkedIn – Dr Ed Daly | LinkedIn
PURE Research – Ed Daly – Atlantic Technological University