What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect hit to your head or body. Your brain sits inside your skull surrounded by fluid. When your head takes a hit, as often as happens in contact sports, your brain shifts or shakes around inside the skull. The impact damages your brain cells, causing chemical and cellular changes in the brain.
Developed by UPMC's concussion experts, ImPact tools set a baseline for normal functioning brain activities. They're the most effective tools for comparing a person's neurocognitive state before a concussion occurs.
The computer based ImPact test takes about 25 minutes to complete.
They look at and record many aspects of an athlete's neurocognitive state such as:
Verbal and visual memory
Brain processing speed
Reaction time
ImPact tests alone do not diagnose a concussion. Experts use these tools:
To get baseline data when a player is in a non-concussed or "normal" state
As part of a complete assessment process to manage head injuries more accurately
UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program neuropsychologists advise baseline consussion testing for children:
Age 12 and under- each year
Ages 13 and older- every two years
At the school, athletes in high-risk sports will be tested every 2 years starting in 7th grade, repeating in 9th and 11th.
The following sports will have a date set to be tested in the beginning of their respective season:
Football (MS/HS)
Soccer (HS)
Volleyball (HS)
Basketball (HS)
Wrestling (MS/HS)
Cheerleading (HS)
Swimming Divers upon request
Pole Vaulter upon request
If your child plays a club sport and has taken a baseline with us and you need a copy to submit to the club sport- contact one of the Athletic Trainers for assitance.
Additional ImPact testing for club sports can be taken through the Heads Up during the summer months