It’s fall here in Southwest Florida and as in all the other states in the union, fall ushers in football season for our kids. Concussions have become a hot topic in contact sports, and it’s easy to see why. A brain injury can change someone’s life in the blink of an eye, and that’s why it’s so important to make the right decisions when it comes to concussion treatment—especially when deciding if and when a student athlete can return to play.
One of the trickiest parts of treating a concussion is figuring out when it’s safe to release a student athlete back onto the field. There are several factors that go into making that decision: balance testing, eye movement, memory, processing information, and more. The problem is, these assessments are often subjective, leaving you wondering whether you’re truly making the right call with your child. That’s where baseline concussion testing comes in.
Baseline testing is a great way to take some of the guesswork out of concussion management. These tests are conducted before the season starts, while the student athlete is healthy and rested. Memory, balance, brain function, and processing speed are all measured and assigned a score. If the student athlete suffers a concussion later on, this baseline score provides a clear point of comparison, making it easier to assess the severity of the injury and track their recovery.
The sooner after an incident the student athlete can be retested, the better. Ideally, within a day of the injury, you want to measure any cognitive decline. Comparing the post-injury test results with their baseline score can provide crucial insight into how serious the concussion is and how much the brain has been affected. It’s not just about getting them back on the field—sometimes sending a kid back to school too soon can make things worse. The brain needs time to heal, and pushing it too hard, too quickly can lead to flare-ups in symptoms.
Another major consideration is the timing of their return to school sports. After a concussion, the likelihood of a second concussion skyrockets, especially if the brain hasn’t fully healed. This happens for two reasons: first, if the brain’s processing speed and reflexes haven’t returned to normal, the chances of an accident or collision increase. Second, the brain’s chemical balance takes time to restore. If that process isn’t complete, a second blow to the head can cause much more damage.
This is where baseline concussion testing really shines. When a student athlete’s post-injury test scores match their baseline, you can be confident that they’ve recovered and it’s safe to return them to practice or games. Without that baseline, you’re left making an educated guess, which can be risky.
Baseline testing is quick and easy—usually about 15 minutes on an iPad. The scores are securely saved on a server, so they can be accessed immediately after an injury for comparison.
At our Fort Myers area Chiropractic clinic, we offer baseline concussion testing for individual athletes, schools, and sports leagues. If you want to set up testing for your child, team, or league, give us a call at 239-248-8810. We’re here to help keep your kids safe on and off the field.
