• Many athletes do not report concussions due to lack of knowledge, failure to understand the risks, fear of letting their team down, or determination to play through any challenge or pain.
• Concussions an be very difficult to fully recognize in the heat of a contest.
• High school athletes are slower to recover from concussions than older athletes.
• A concussion may not be fully healed, even after an athlete thinks that symptoms are gone.
• Athletes that return to contact before a concussion is fully healed run the risk of prolonging symtpoms or even suffering catastrophic injury (Second Impact Syndrome).

When is it safe for an athlete to return to contact sports after a concussion?

MVRHS is proud to offer the ImPACT concussion management program (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) for our student athletes. This program is highly recommended by Physicians, Athletic Trainers, Coaches, and other sports medicine clinicians and is provided free of charge to our students involved in contact sports. Using this program, in conjunction with physician evaluation, helps us to provide the best possible care for our athletes.

ImPACT is a 25 minute computer based program that evaluates multiple aspects of brain function in order to help evaluate recovery following a concussion. Athletes are given a "BASELINE" test to determine their personal "non-injured" score. If the athlete sustains a concussion, they will be tested again every few days until fully recovered. The follow up testing compares post injury results to the baseline results. Also, follow up testing can help us determine if the athlete will need school work adjustments if needed.

Dr. Neal McGrath, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Clinical Director and founder of Sports Concussion New England, in Brookline, MA is our credentialed ImPACT consultant and assists us in the implementation of the program and test result interpretation. Dr. McGrath has specialized in the evaluation and rehabilitation of traumatic brain Injuries. Dr. McGrath is also a consulting neuropsychologist for the MENTOR Acquired Brain Injury Program/Center for Comprehensive Services - New England and Massachusetts Statewide Head Injury Program.

By doing this testing we can better determine a safe return to sports and ensure an optimal learning environment in school.

Please complete the consent form and the worksheet and return it to the Athletic Trainer or School Nurse. You may also fax it to (508) 696-6042 or bring it in at the time of testing. Students who have already turned in a consent form may just show up to take the baseline test, if they have not yet done so.

We will conduct baseline testing for student athletes prior to the start of each sports season.

Please feel free to contact the School Nurse or Athletic Trainer if you have any questions.