Why Baseline Concussion Testing Is Becoming Standard in High School Sports

As high-impact sports like football, soccer, and volleyball return to full competition, student-athletes face an increased risk of concussion. On the sidelines, Athletic Trainers and medical providers are working collaboratively to ensure athletes are prepared—both physically and cognitively—before the season begins.

Inside the main gym at Washington High School, athletes gathered for one of the most important preseason activities: concussion baseline testing.

“So we’re doing our concussion testing. We do what’s called Sway,” said Caitlyn Martin, an Athletic Trainer with Avera Health assigned to Washington High School. “It uses a cellular device to measure balance, memory, reaction time, and inspection time.”

Those baseline results provide a comparison point if an athlete is injured later in the season.

“Then they use those scores if you do get a concussion, then you’ll take that test again,” said Dana Harpe, a senior outside hitter.

Athletic Trainers and coaches can compare results to determine whether cognitive function has changed.

Martin emphasized why annual baselines matter.

“It’s really important to have that baseline because everyone’s brain grows and changes at different rates,” she said. “So we do a baseline test every year.”

For athletes, familiarity with the test helps.

“After you take it one time, you kind of know what you’re getting into for next year,” said senior libero Hannah Nesdahl. “Getting that every year just really helps.”

Concussions can be difficult to diagnose, even without direct head contact.

“Sometimes they don’t even get hit on the head at all,” said Sam Schimelpfenig, MD, an Avera pediatrician and sports medicine physician. “That whiplash mechanism causes the brain to twist and torque inside the skull.”

Having objective data helps eliminate guesswork.

“I can take you right off the court or field and have that reading,” Martin said. “I’m comparing yourself to yourself, not normative data.”

While no tool can eliminate concussion risk, baseline testing, Athletic Trainers on the sidelines, and proper education work together to make sports safer.

“You get one brain,” Martin said. “We need to make sure we protect it for the future.”

Read the full Avera story here!