Coaches and Athletic Trainers at Union, Cassia Hall, and Holland Hall schools are using a new software tool to manage and detect signs of concussions in athletes.It’s called ImPACT Concussion Management.
The software is used to test an athlete's cognitive skills before they enter a sport. The score is kept on file. After suffering a head injury, the athlete must re-take the test. Results are compared to the initial score. If the score reflects a significant change, chances are the athlete has experienced trauma.
A few weeks ago, Union’s Athletic Trainer, Dan Newman, had to use the tool.
"It gives me the ability to really increase the safety of our student athletes," Newman said. “With one of our athletes we found physically he was fine, but cognitively reaction time was a little slower.”
Senior James Roberson, Union’s Safety, suffered a blow to the head during practice.
“I went in for a tackle, ducked my head and hit it, kinda got a concussion,” Roberson said. “I felt a little woosy and the back of my neck hurt a little bit, I was having trouble focusing.”
Roberson took the test and was instructed to sit out the scrimmage game for a week.
“It (the test) really helps you from a medical standpoint, won’t let you get back on the field, unless your body can take it,” Roberson said. “Brain injuries are potentially life-threatening, glad he diagnosed me when he did,” Roberson said.
Earlier this week, two high school football players were found dead. Nicholas Bailey, 16, was found dead early Tuesday in his North Dakota home. His parents told school officials he was hit hard during his JV game. Wilson Vili, 16, Omaha, NE, collapsed at a restaurant after football practice. Both causes of death haven't been confirmed as school officials await autopsy results.
