W-M implements concussion management program
School hasn’t even started yet, but more than 200 Watertown-Mayer students have already taken their first test of the year.
This one, however, doesn’t measure their success in the classroom, and won’t even be graded. In fact, school officials hope they never even have to look at the results.
Instead, this test measured their basic level of cognitive functioning, but only against themselves. In the event that any Watertown-Mayer athletes suffers a concussion this year – or is suspected of having one – the Concussion ImPACT test they took on Aug. 11 will help medical professionals compare their pre-concussion level of cognitive functioning with their levels afterward, helping them determine when an athlete should be allowed to return to action.
This is the first year the district has made the test mandatory, and athletic director Mary Haugen said the district’s implementation of the program is in response to a growing concern regarding head injuries, particularly at the high school level.
“It’s a big deal in society right now, and it’s a big deal when you hear about professional athlete having long-term issues,” said Haugen, who pointed in particular to several members of the Minnesota Twins. “You look at Justin Morneau and Denard Span and how long it took them to recover, and how careful people are being with them, yet we weren’t being that careful with kids.”
Most professional and college sports team use the same ImPACT concussion management program that Watertown-Mayer will be using this season, and in recent years, many high schools have begun implementing the program as well.
At Watertown-Mayer, the program was made available to athletes on voluntary basis last year, but only seven athletes took advantage. This year, the program will be administered by Ridgeview Sports Medicine, which provides athletic training services to the school’s sports teams. Ridgeview purchased the software and is administering the program at no charge to the school.
The concussion management program asks athletes to take what is called a baseline test at the beginning of the season, which measures their cognitive functioning under normal health. A series of tasks during the computerized test measures participants’ memory and reaction time to varying visual cues.
One task, for instance, flashes a series of about 15 words across the screen, and then asks the participant whether certain words had been included in that sequence. Another task measures the participant’s response time to visual indicators on the screen, and another measures the ability to remember details of intricate designs.
When an athlete suffers a concussion, they are asked to take the test a second time. Only when their scores are back in line with their baseline scores are they allowed to return. The test does not help medical professionals diagnose a condition, but is simply a tool that tells them when the athlete is healthy enough to return. Athletes aren’t allowed to return until a health-care provider authorizes them to do so.
Research has shown in recent years that many athletes return too soon after a concussion, making them much more likely to suffer a second one. This test is designed to prevent against that problem, essentially taking the decision out of the athlete’s hands. Especially at the high school level, the tendency with athletes is to try to play through pain in order to show toughness, but that’s never a good idea when it comes to head injuries, Haugen said.
“For a lot of athletes, the mindset is, ‘buck up and go back in there,” Haugen said. “That’s not what you want to do with kids. Data is clear if you have one concussion, you’re much more likely to have a second. To have kids in there playing when they’re not physically ready is dangerous for everybody.”
While some area high schools use the concussion program only for the sports deemed most susceptible to concussions – sports like football, hockey, soccer and wrestling – Watertown-Mayer is using the program for just about every sport except middle school volleyball. Haugen said 225 athletes took the test on Aug. 11, the same day they registered for fall sports.
“I’d rather have more kids take it than need it than try to cut corners,” Haugen said. “I just think it’s a huge benefit for parents given the heightened awareness.”
Concussions and head-related injuries have been a hot topic and the subject of legislation at both the state and federal levels in recent years. Much of that, however, has to do with providing awareness to parents regarding the dangers of concussions.
The Minnesota State High School League has also taken steps to heighten awareness in recent years, largely by educating parents, athletes, coaches and administrators to the dangers and risks associated with head injuries. However, the MSHSL has also focused on training referees, umpires and officials to recognize concussion symptoms, and given them the authority to remove an athlete from a game if they display such symptoms. If a referee removes an athlete, they are not allowed to return until authorized by a trainer or doctor.
However, neither the MSHSL or the government mandates any type of concussion management program, like the one being implemented at Watertown-Mayer. However, Haugen said she’d rather play it safe when it comes to the health of the school’s athletes.
“If it’s available and it’s easy to do, why wouldn’t we go above and beyond?” Haugen said.