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Every year, players of all ages in all sports receive concussion injuries during games and practice. Characterized by an impairment of the brain’s normal function and caused by violent shaking or jarring of the brain, concussions may cause alterations in cognitive function, vision, eye movement, facial movement, or speech. Contrary to popular belief, and despite ongoing design improvements, no helmet in any sport can prevent a concussion.
The study and treatment of concussions in athletes has received significant attention in recent years. A revitalized interest in concussion management is taking place in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, and sports medicine.
Toward that end, US Lacrosse has formed a strategic alliance with ImPACT Applications, Inc. (ImPACT) to launch a formal Concussion Management Program for lacrosse players that offers concussion testing, education, awareness, and state-of-the-artstandards of care. Four US Lacrosse National Teams (Men’s National Team, Women’s National Team, Men’s U-19 Team, and Women’s U-19 Team) have also adopted the program.
A new online resource at uslacrosse.org provides a wealth of concussion information, as well as access to the ImPACT™ Baseline Testing Program, a computerized series of neurocognitive tests that help determine the extent and severity of concussions. This program is designed to help the doctor of an injured player diagnose the severity of a concussion and determine a safe recovery time after which the athlete may return to play.
The ImPACT™ program, the world’s first and most widely used computerized sports concussion evaluation system, has been utilized throughout professional sports.
Online Concussion Management Program
ImPACT's Concussion Management Program is available to all levels of lacrosse players and teams through the US Lacrosse Web site. One of the key's to ImPACT's approach to concussion management is to compare an athlete's post-concussive performance and symptoms to a baseline (pre-concussion) level for that athlete. In order to do this, athletes must take a baseline ImPACT measurement prior to sustaining a concussion.
Typically, this can be done with a 20-minute online test at the beginning of preseason training or even a few months prior to season training. This user-friendly, Windows-based computer program can be administered by a coach, athletic trainer or physician with minimal training. It is important to have athletes complete the ImPACT test before they start any type of contact that might result in a concussion (e.g., drills, scrimmages, etc.). The online test is designed to measure cognitive functions, including: attention span, working memory, non-verbal problem solving and reaction time.
More About ImPACT
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ImPACT Applications, Inc., is a provider of computerized neurocognitive assessment tools and services that are used by medical professionals to assist them in determining an athlete's fitness to return to play after suffering a concussion. At the current time, ImPACT is being used for concussion management services at more than 1,000 high schools, colleges, sports medicine centers, and professional teams throughout the world.
• Click here to read more from ImPACT (PDF)
• Click here for more information about Online ImPACT Testing
• Additional information and resources about concussions from US Lacrosse
How to Get Started
Open the doctor locator page linked below, then click on your state. Find a clinic in your area and contact them to arrange your baseline testing session. Most ImPACT clinics charge around $10 per baseline test. Ask the doctor if they have any discounts for US Lacrosse members or if there is a discount for testing the entire team.
If you sustain any head trauma, you will want to return to that doctor for a post injury evaluation. He/she will have your baseline test on file for comparison.
• Find an ImPACT doctor in your area
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