If your child is 10 years or older and participates in physical sports like soccer, rugby, hockey, boxing, or even horse riding, it’s crucial to consider their safety on the field. While these sports encourage teamwork, fitness, and fun, they also come with risks, particularly the risk of head injuries. Baseline assessments for concussions are a proactive tool every parent should know about.
What Is a Baseline Assessment?
A baseline assessment is a pre-season test that measures a child’s basic cognitive abilities, including memory, processing speed, concentration, and proprioception (the body’s ability to sense movement and position). Essentially, it establishes a snapshot of your child’s brain function when they’re healthy.
This baseline is invaluable if your child sustains a head injury or concussion during the sports season. Doctors can compare post-injury test results to the baseline, helping them diagnose the presence and severity of a concussion.
Why Are Baseline Assessments Important?
The significance of baseline assessments lies in their ability to aid in the accurate and timely diagnosis of concussions. If a child scores poorly on post-injury tests compared to their baseline, it provides clear evidence of brain impairment. The differences in results can also give doctors insights into the severity of the injury, enabling them to make informed decisions about recovery and return-to-play timelines.
The Risks of Returning to Play Too Soon
One of the biggest dangers of a concussion is returning to physical activity before the brain has fully healed. Once concussed, the brain becomes more vulnerable, meaning even a minor knock can cause a second, more serious concussion. Repeated concussions can lead to long-term cognitive problems, chronic brain injuries, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.
Baseline assessments help mitigate this risk by providing objective data that doctors can use to determine when it’s safe for a child to resume playing sports. Without these assessments, the decision to return to play is often based on subjective observations or self-reported symptoms, which can be unreliable.
When Should You Get a Baseline Assessment?
Ideally, baseline assessments should be conducted before the sports season begins. This allows doctors to capture your child’s cognitive function at their healthiest, giving them a solid benchmark for comparison in the event of an injury. The test is quick, non-invasive, and can be conducted by healthcare professionals trained in sports medicine or concussion management.
