The recent concern over head injuries sustained in sports, specifically concussions, and their impact on athletes has pervaded athletics from the professionals to the peewees.
To help address the issue in its sponsored activities, the Farmington High School athletic department has instituted a new assessment program to assist athletes, coaches and medical personnel in evaluating and treating head injuries.
Starting this fall, all athletes in NCAA-designated "contact sports" will undergo a simple, computer-based assessment of brain function before the start of the season.
The video game-like tool called ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) takes from 15-20 minutes to complete and assesses such areas of function as memory, reaction time, speed and concentration.
FHS athletes in football, boys and girls soccer and diving will take the ImPACT assessment this fall. Affected winter sports include boys and girls basketball, gymnastics, boys and girls hockey, wrestling and diving. Athletes competing in baseball, softball, boys and girls track and pole vaulting will be tested in the spring.
"The ImPACT assessment is not an IQ test," Farmington High School athletic director Jon Summer explained. "Essentially, it is a pre-season physical for the brain."
The initial pre-test results are kept on file and should a head injury occur, the athlete would re-take the test to compare results.
"The test data will help health professionals determine when a return to play is appropriate and safe for the injured athlete," Summer said.
Summer stressed that the test is not the entire answer to appropriately diagnosing concussions but rather a piece in the puzzle of making sure potential concussions are appropriately evaluated and specific steps are taken prior to an athlete returning to competition.
"I am excited about the opportunity that ImPACT testing presents in our continued effort to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes," Summer said.
For specific questions about the ImPACT testing, contact Summer at 651-252-2515 or jsummer@farmington.k12.mn.us
