Sports-related Concussion is one of the most common head injuries encountered in contact and collision sports.  Many athletes, coaches, and parents are unaware of the serious consequences of a seemingly minor concussion.  This lack of awareness may result in allowing an athlete to return to play too soon following an initial injury, placing him or her at risk of more serious injuries. 

It is important to recognize and manage sports-related concussions in a timely fashion to avoid repeat injury and the detrimental long-term consequences to athletic, cognitive, academic, and professional success.  Most athletes recover from concussions completely and can return to play after an appropriate period of recovery.  It is crucial to know when it is safe to return to play to avoid serious brain injury.  Most often, return to play decisions are made without the benefit of computerized neuropsychological testing, and are based on the player’s subjective report of symptoms.

The Greenville Hospital System and The Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas have teamed up with ImPACT to provide an innovative intervention and concussion prevention program here in the Upstate, promoting the health and safety of our athletes.  This program will result in technology that (1) provides valuable information to coaches, administrators, athletes, parents, and clinicians about concussion management; (2) provides the foundation to better understand the standard of care required in dealing with head injuries; and (3) promotes safe return to play.

• As the season begins, the Steadman Hawkins Athletic Trainers would like to administer and recommend ImPACT Testing for all athletes with previous concussions and those involved in high-risk sports. The sports that will be tested include Football, Cheerleading, Vollyeball, Basketball, Wrestling, Lacrosse, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and Field athletes in Track.

• What is ImPACT? ImPACT is a sophisticated, research-based software tool developed to help sports-medicine clinicians evaluate recovery following concussion. It provides objective information about the function of the brain. Athletes who take the test answer questions about symptoms and medical history, and then complete word and memory exercises. 

• This program is currently used by the NFL, NHL, MLS, and numerous high schools and colleges across the nation to provide the highest level of care and management of concussions.

All Greenville County schools are administering this 25-minute test to athletes before their season begins, as a baseline. Athletes who sustain concussions may then be asked to retake the test to determine if it's safe for them to resume play. This is a discussion that will occur with the parent, athletic trainer, sports medicine clinicians or primary care provider. There is NO COST for baseline testing however, there will be costs associated with post-injury testing.

Please contact me with any questions, and if you would like further information on ImPACT or sports-related concussion please visit www.impacttest.com.

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