The issue of concussions is continuing to be a hot topic in the sports world and implementing a baseline program for our athletes is an excellent step to ensuring that all of them are able to return to play safely should they be injured.

AHU athletes will be undergoing a series of three tests on their team-specific day: the ImPACT® test, Bertec balance testing, and a vision test for saccadic eye movement. These tests evaluate the systems most commonly affected by concussion and give clinicians an idea of how the brain functions when healthy, in order to better determine when an athlete is back to normal following injury.

Below are descriptions of the tests that we will be using to provide your daughter with her BrainStamp Baseline Test.

• ImPACT® Computerized Neurocognitive Testing is an objective measure of brain processing speed, memory, reaction time, and visual motor skills. The ImPACT® test is a widely used computerized neurocognitive assessment tool that measures multiple aspects of cognitive function including attention span, working memory, sustained and selective attention, non-verbal problem solving and reaction time. If a concussion is suspected, the performance on the test today or, the baseline report, will serve as a comparison to a repeat ImPACT test. Only certified professionals can interpret this information to assess potential changes as a result of a concussion.  (This test is for players age 11+ only)

• Bertec® Force Plate Balance Testing Neurovestibular Protocol is unique to our center. Balance on two different surfaces is measured through a series of physical challenges on a device that records a person’s sway and loss of balance.

• Vision will be evaluated through a static, 20 foot eye chart test. This data will help us to better understand and treat visual problems following brain injury.

Cost is $15 for Squirt players and $25 for Peewee, Bantam and Midget players age 11+.