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Resuming sports too soon increases the risk of another brain injury. In many cases, athletes at the high school level and beyond—and sometimes even younger—have what’s known as a baseline concussion test performed at the beginning of a new sports season. A baseline test establishes what’s normal for an individual athlete. Afterward, when a concussion is suspected, an athlete’s concussion test results can be compared with his or her baseline test. A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury, or what’s commonly known as a TBI.
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. During this time, you may experience reduced motor skills which can affect day-to-day movements. The timeline for recovery depends on how severe the concussion is.
Free Online Concussion Test
You may have to go to the emergency room to receive treatment. Your doctor may order an MRI, CT scan, or other neuroimaging scans to confirm whether you have sustained more serious brain damage. Concussion testing is a useful tool for helping your healthcare provider diagnose a concussion.
Computerized testing is often similar to playing a video game. If the athlete experiences a head injury any time during the season, they are removed from play and retested. The results of the current concussion test are compared to the preseason results. Although these tests are useful to identify a possible concussion, you should still see your healthcare provider (if the test wasn’t administered by a medical professional).
Beyond Baseline Concussion Tests
This type of brain injury is caused by a movement that impacts the head, including a bump or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head to rapidly move back and forth. This impact causes the brain to bounce around in the skull, creating chemical changes in – and sometimes damage to – the brain cells. Concussion tests assess your brain function after a head injury. Most concussion tests consist of questionnaires or symptom checklists.
Along with the start of school comes a busy season for youth recreational sports. Soccer leagues, small fry football and lacrosse are all popular fall sports. This year, my 7-year-old opted to play flag football through our local recreation department. Brain imaging may be recommended for some people with signs and symptoms such as severe headaches, seizures, repeated vomiting or symptoms that are becoming worse. Brain imaging may determine whether the injury is severe and has caused bleeding or swelling in the skull. Tests your doctor may perform or recommend include a neurological examination, cognitive testing and imaging tests.
If your child plays school sports and had a head injury
Your doctor may recommend different therapies as well, such as rehabilitation for vision, rehabilitation for balance problems, or cognitive rehabilitation for problems with thinking and memory. Your doctor will evaluate your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a neurological examination. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may not appear until hours or days after the injury. Medical professionals have access to an athlete’s baseline test and can monitor concussion recovery of concussed athletes. They can document care plans and communicate with coaches, athletes, and their parents.
However, complete rest, such as lying in a dark room and avoiding all stimuli, does not help recovery and is not recommended. Although many concussions resolve quickly, some athletes may experience symptoms for weeks, months or longer. Concussion testing is one of the tools doctors may use to evaluate and manage your health after a head injury. People who are at risk of concussion may need baseline tests.
You’ve also learned why baseline testing helps you be prepared if you get a concussion. Today we’ll talk about some of the pros and cons of baseline testing. ImPACT, an FDA cleared medical device, is used by healthcare, educational, and sports organizations to help assess and manage concussions. Always seek out the advice of a qualified medical provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.
Concussion testing evaluates your brain's processing and thinking function after a head injury. A baseline concussion test may be performed before a sports season starts for athletes at risk of head injuries. Remember, no player who has taken a blow to their head or has a suspected concussion should ever return to the game. If a physician or sports medicine specialist is not on staff at school, players should be referred to their healthcare provider for further follow-up. Your healthcare provider will perform a complete physical exam and some tests or may refer you to a sports medicine specialist or neurologist for additional tests and imaging tests if needed. Some concussion tests are administered by athletic trainers, coaches or sports medicine physicians.
Most concussion tests are a series of questionnaires or symptom checklists. Most people think that loss of consciousness is the main sign of concussion. The test was taken by 89 NCAA athletes at NYU and Long Island University, and by to-17-year-olds who played ice hockey and lacrosse. That can be used as part of a comprehensive concussion evaluation. And they can change your life for the worse if you’re not prepared.
Meanwhile, young athletes who were not concussed actually finished 6.4 seconds faster, perhaps because childhood is a phase of such rapid brain development. The King-Devick test, as it’s called, was originally developed in the 1970s as a way to detect dyslexia. List key medical information, including other medical problems for which you or your child is being treated and any history of previous head injuries. Also write down the names of any medications, vitamins, supplements or other natural remedies you or your child is taking. For children with suspected concussion, CT scans are only used if there are specific criteria met, such as the type of injury or signs of a skull fracture.
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