Writer Simple tests that help evaluate the severity of concussions suffered by professional athletes may soon be available to youth sports to ensure children are not returned to competition too soon. More than 60,000 high school athletes suffer concussions each year, according to Joseph C. Maroon, a neurosurgeon with UPMC Health System who developed the tests used by some professional teams. Sixty-three percent of these injuries occur in high school football, but concussions also occur in basketball, hockey, wrestling and in growing numbers in boys' and girls' soccer. Behind his decision is an important message for every athlete, amateur or professional. A concussion is at least as serious an injury as a sprain or a deep bruise, and potentially much, much more serious.
Concussion is the most common form of head injury for athletes.
The NHL is now routinely assessing for concussion and providing baseline neuropsychological screening for their players. Now, there is a national trend to provide baselines for our high school and young athletes who are also at risk for concussion. Baseline screening includes noninvasive tests that measure attention, memory and other cognitive skills. However, it is not intelligence or achievement testing. Neuropsychological testing is often more sensitive to the effects of mild head injury than MRI, CT, or neurological exam.