In english i have to write a persuasive essay so i thought about it and im going to write about the IMPACT test and whether it should determine if athletes with a prior concussion with scores that are now back to a normal level should be returned to play just because of the test results. It should be interesting because you have to pick a side and I dont know which side im really on. Oh well going back to school very soon.

Soccer,

Consider the issue of second impact syndrome. There is plenty of information about NFL football players who have lifelong problems.

Issues to consider,
Does ImPACT test for physiological condition of brain recovery
or just neuropsychological performance?

Is it used to limit the school's liability from law suits?

Is it an aid to tell coaches, parents and the athlete to withhold returning to play? rather than the common need to have 5 to 7 days without a head ache as used in the past.

Historically, coaches, parents, and the player have wanted to hurry back to play for the benefit of the team and player.

A simple statistic for you. Soccer players who routinely head the ball have a 10 point lower IQ on average.

Is the ImPACT test specific enough to diagnose a drop in intelligence?

If you can find it, there are two fantastic books written by Dorothy Gronwall, Ph.D. One is expensive to buy but may be in a good main library. Mild Head Injury and Head Injury, the Facts. Dr Gronwall and Dr. Phillip Wrightson are the pioneers of the concussion industry.

Coping with Mild Traumatic Head Injury by Diane Stoler is an encyclopedia of information about the physiology and other symptoms of concussion but weak on recover therapies.

Good luck with your essay. You sound like you can grasp the information well.

I like Mark's questions and ideas.

But one other thing, not sure you can connect it because I don't know anything about the impact test. But maybe it should also be brought into
the issue. That if there were testing done on each athlete before the
season started, then when there is a head injury they have a place to start
with. They have a idea how much impact the injury has already taken on
the student.

I would definately like to see this added. I know that it would have helped
in my son's case. Even though we didn't realize he probably had PCS or
TBI injuries. And his headaches that took forever to go away might have
had faster results.

Also I have to add, for this son going through the issues of not playing of
his own choice. And then recovering after what was 4 years. And returning
to get a high school diploma, then going to college. He will be graduating
this December at 24.

So it was just luck he already was diagnosed learning disabled or he would
have lost the valuable help he got.

Donna

Donna and others,

The ImPACT test is a computerize mini-neuro-psych test battery. It is promoted to athletic departments as a method of tracking concussion. It is suggested that the team do a base line test before the season starts. This would be more common in football. Not so common in soccer, baseball or basketball. It is sold as a software package with licenses for each test administration. The tests range from $10 to $29 each based on the licensing purchased.

So, as you said, it would be great if a base line test is done.

Its primary use is as an aid to convincing trainers, coaches, players and their parents that a player should be held out of a game. It does not account for previous concussions nor can it suggest the risk of a follow-up concussion.

I believe it is used more as a system for reducing the liability of the school/league from liability. It was featured on TV locally and I did some investigation into its use. The local team doctor ( orthopedist) who supervises its use claims to be a specialist in concussion but actually just has an interest. I have read his CV and am not impressed. Unfortunately, this is a common problem in sports medicine.

It is better than nothing but I believe it offers a false sense of security about returning to play.

You can go to the ImPACT site at www.impacttest.com.