Consent Review

Before you officially enroll in the study, you will review the consent form with the principal investigator. It is important that you fully understand the study assessments and expectations. During this time, you can ask any outstanding questions you may have. In most cases, consent will occur virtually before you travel to Atlanta.

Baseline/Fasting Blood Draw

This first assessment will take place at the Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Morehouse School of Medicine. Nurses will begin by drawing your blood. For this initial draw, we ask that you fast, which means you will not eat after 11pm the night before. It’s okay to drink water, which is encouraged prior to the blood draw. Once that is complete, you will undergo a standard physical exam, similar to what you would experience in a doctor’s office. The research team will ask you to complete several questionnaires related to your demographics and general health information. There will also be two blood spot collections and a saliva collection during this time. These are explained further in the consent form.

DEXA

Next, you will undergo a DEXA scan, which looks at your bone density and body composition. The procedure involves minimal radiation, is completely non-invasive, and similar to an x-ray. This scan takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Cardiac Testing

Cardiac testing will be performed on the first day of the study at the Morehouse School of Medicine. You will be asked to undergo an additional cardiac test that involves wearing a breathing mask and light headgear while lying down. The purpose of this assessment is to measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your breath as you rest. Next, you will complete a bicycle exercise test. This will involve riding a stationary exercise bike while attached to machines which monitor your heart and lungs. There will be several sensors placed on your chest to measure your pulse and the amount of oxygen in your body. Understanding cardiovascular function in former players is important, as this relates to numerous health outcomes. All testing will be done by a trained exercise physiologist.

Olfactory (sense of smell)

This assessment will test your sense of smell and can be self-administered. You will be presented with odors on smell cards and you will be asked to answer questions on your familiarity with the smells. This assessment is intended to evaluate aspects of cognition, since there is a proven link between olfaction (sense of smell), odor identification, and brain function.

Sleep Study

This assessment will take place overnight in your hotel room and will be self-administered. You will place sensors on your finger, wrist, and chest to measure movement, heart rate, and breathing. You will be instructed to sleep normally. Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, and may also increase pain and cause problems with mood and cognition. This information will help us understand the relationship between sleep and health outcomes for former players.

Neuropsychological Testing

The neuropsychological evaluation will take place on the second day at the Emory Brain Health Center. The testing will be administered by a trained neuropsychologist. These assessments are designed to evaluate your mood and memory, as well as how you think, learn, and solve problems. You may also be asked questions about your emotions, behaviors, drug and alcohol use, and quality of life. You can skip any questions you prefer not to answer. These assessments are important in helping us understand the cognitive and psychological health and functioning of former NFL players.

MRI

Your MRI scan will take place on the second day at the Emory Brain Health Center. The MRI scanner is shaped like a big donut. You will be asked to lie on your back on the scanner table and stay still for the duration of the scan. You also may have devices placed on your chest and finger to measure your heartbeat and the amount of oxygen in your blood. The MRI scanner will use magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures. We will not inject you with any dyes. This test is routinely used in medical care.

The brain scan is important in helping us understand your brain structure and function, and how these relate to your overall health and wellbeing.

X-ray

The X-ray will take place on the second day at the Emory Musculoskeletal Institute. You will have x-rays completed on various parts of your body. We will gather images of your knees, hips, and spine. This information will be used along with other clinical data to better understand and quantify functional limitation and pain.

Physical Function

The Physical Function assessment will take place on the second day at the Emory Musculoskeletal Institute. During the assessment, you will be asked to perform a series of tests which will measure your gait, balance, and cognition. These tests will be administered by a trained exercise physiologist who will ensure that you are safe and comfortable throughout the visit. These tests are important to help us understand the physical strengths and limitations that former players experience.