Concussion Prevention with Baseline Testing Protects Student-Athletes

As high school athletics resume with the new school year, injury prevention takes center stage for both athletes and programs.

One key tool in this effort is concussion baseline testing, which helps Athletic Trainers better assess and track athletes recovering from head injuries.

Sanford Health certified Athletic Trainer Scott Roggenbuck emphasizes how the advancement in technology has transformed concussion management:

“10, 15 years ago, you didn’t have the technology to do this type of stuff. Now, it makes it so much easier for us to determine whether or not a kid is ready to take that next step.”

Partnering with Sanford Health, Sioux City, South Dakota schools now use a mobile app for conducting baseline tests, which provides trainers with objective data on an athlete’s physical and mental performance when healthy.

This information becomes crucial for comparison in the event of a suspected concussion. Sean Duffy, Sanford Health’s athletic training manager, explained: 

“What we’re trying to do is really just get a normal, how your brain functions in a normal situation pre-injury.”

With the ease of use offered by the app, trainers can quickly gather data, and athletes can understand their recovery progress better. Jason Stahlberg, head football coach at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, underscores the importance of such tools, noted:

“The health of the athlete is the greatest importance to us as a coaching staff, as a program, and obviously as a school district.”

This technological shift ensures that athletes’ health and safety are prioritized, with concussion management evolving to keep up with modern sports demands. Read more about it here!