Date
8-29-2025
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
Chair
Eric Sobolewski
Keywords
concussion, training time, athlete performance, bobsleigh, luge, circadian rhythms, symptom tracking
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Sports Sciences
Recommended Citation
Augsburger, Garrett R., "Investigating “Sled Head” Phenomenon and Diurnal Patterns in Team USA Bobsleigh and Luge Athletes: A Virtual Research Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7412.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7412
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between training time, performance, and concussion symptoms among Team USA bobsleigh and luge athletes during a four-week training season. Recognizing the high physical demands and potential risks associated with sledding sports, the study aimed to understand the prevalence of concussion-related experiences and how training schedules might influence athletic performance and symptomology. Repeated measures quantitative design was employed using session-level survey data submitted by athletes following daily training sessions. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire assessing variables such as performance rating, fatigue, alertness, training intensity, sleep quality, and concussion symptoms. A total of 156 sessions were recorded. Analyses included nonparametric correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, generalized estimating equations, and mixed-effects models to explore both between- and within-subject variability. The results showed that while performance did not differ significantly based on training time, athletes were more likely to report concussion symptoms during evening sessions. The study concludes that monitoring daily athlete-reported data may provide early indicators of health and performance concerns. The findings underscore the potential value of integrating athlete-reported outcomes into routine practice, particularly in high-risk, high-performance environments. Recommendations are provided for future studies to include objective assessments and longitudinal tracking across competitive seasons to better understand temporal patterns and cumulative impacts.
