Texas has a reputation for embracing youth sports. We enjoy 
cheering from the sidelines for our young athletes and the 
team. We accept that injuries are possible but acknowledge 
them as part of the experience. However, if injuries do 
occur, the fun is replaced with worry - particularly the 
possibility of concussion, a form of brain injury.

Concussions take athletes out of the game they love, at 
least for a time, and may include time away from school 
and social events. More importantly, concussions can be a 
serious medical concern. Yet they can also go undiagnosed 
if athletes don’t show immediate signs and/or do not self-
report. While not easily predicted, long term effects such as 
memory problems, emotional disturbances and inattention 
can occur especially if not diagnosed early and managed 
appropriately. Therefore, as with any injury, proper 
diagnosis and treatment is important to the healing process.

As parents, we are responsible for the health and safety of 
our children. When it comes to concussion we put a lot of 
trust in the coaches and officials who are actively involved 
in the game. Is there something else we can do?

1.Impress upon your student athlete the importance of
communicating any injury or problem they experience.
Simply having a headache following an incident to the
head or indirect trauma such as whiplash warrants evaluation.

2.Consider a baseline neurocognitive test for your student
athlete. It may be a good idea for those who participate in
contact sports past the age of 11.

What is a baseline test?  It is a simple and fairly 
inexpensive procedure that gauges cognitive processes 
before a concussion. It is similar to taking a benchmark 
test to see “where you are now.”

“This information can be used to evaluate the athlete’s 
cognitive abilities after injury comparative to what they 
were prior to injury,” says Robert Stark, MD. “It is most 
useful in terms of making sure an athlete is back to ‘normal 
for them’ and safe to return to play. It is one of the tools 
used in the management of concussion, but does not 
replace clinical judgment in any case.”  

Parents can arrange baseline tests through specially trained 
physicians, such as Dr. Stark. As a Credentialed ImPACT® 
Consultant, he has the knowledge to ensure the test is carried 
out with the highest degree of confidence. Parents receive a 
report that provides access to the results should they be needed 
in the future. These results, when compared with a subsequent 
test, provide important information to the physician to 
determine the severity of the brain injury, if any.  This allows 
the physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Today many tools are improving the welfare of young 

athletes. Baseline neurocognitive testing as well as 
upgraded equipment, better training and greater emphasis 
on safety have a positive effect on their well-being. There 
is no need to keep children out of athletic adventures for 
fear of injury. Parents simply need to be aware of the 
tools and resources available that offer not only the best 
protection against injury but also the best path for 
healing should an injury occur.   

Submitted by Texas Health Presbyterian 
Hospital Rockwall, whose Good Health 
columns are featured at BlueRibbonNews.
com. The Sports Medicine Center at Texas 
Health Rockwall offers a full range of 
care for athletes of all ages. For a list of 
services, visit RockwallSportsMed.com. 

GOOD HEALTH

18

Back to School Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

Advanced tools, awareness are best 

protection against concussion

Rockwall Yellowjackets at the Spring Swarm game last May; photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. The Jackets play a 

non-conference game at Highland Park Aug. 26 and visit the Cotton Bowl to take on the Rowlett Eagles Sept. 3. 

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