Comparing the Impact of High-Intensity Exercise on Vestibular-Oculomotor Function Between Sex, Sport, and Activity Level.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of high-intensity exercise on the vestibular and oculomotor systems in a group of sedentary and active males and females.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Performance laboratory; Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, London.

Participants: Forty-five collegiate athletes and 30 age-matched sedentary participants.

Interventions: A baseline Vestibular and Oculomotor Screening (VOMS) test was performed on all participants before undertaking a self-paced 5-minute treadmill run maintaining an intensity of 17/20 on the Borg scale. Post-run, participants were tested using the VOMS tool a further 3 times with each test 30 seconds apart.

Main outcome measures: Symptom provocation on testing of the VOMS tool.

Results: At baseline testing, 25.3% of participants had 1 or more positive VOMS domains although there was no significant differences between sex, sport, or activity level. At postrun testing, 62.5% of participants had 1 or more positive VOMS domains; this was a significant change from baseline with large effect size (Z = 6.12, r = 0.72, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: High-intensity exercise has a deleterious impact on vestibular and oculomotor function. This change in function is consistent across all groups when considering activity level, sex, and sporting participation. These findings have implications when considering the timing of VOMS in relation to sporting participation and clinical testing that involves exercise.