ROHS Athletes Undergo Concussion Testing

teamed up with  on Wednesday to test all fall sports athletes to establish a “baseline” for future exams to determine if an athlete has suffered a concussion during practice or competition.

Each athlete used a Computerized Cognitive Assessment Tool to help determine a baseline for accuracy, speed/reaction time and memory. The results of the screenings will be available to be used at a future date for a comparison post-injury. The voluntary program was offered to all student athletes at no charge.

The tests help teach players, coaches and parents about concussions, said Dr. Neal Alpiner of Beaumont.

“One of the key things we want athletes to take away today is you can have a concussion and not lose consciousness,” Alpiner explained. “The other thing we want people to know is this is an educational forum. We want to teach people want to look for."

The trend to test athletes started several years ago in the National Football League. More professional athletes are finding out they have suffered concussions during their careers. According to the Mayo Clinic, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. The effects are usually temporary but can include problems with headache, concentration, memory, judgment, balance and coordination.

Concussions usually occur due to a blow to the head, but research shows that they also can happen when an athlete's head and/or upper body is violently shaken. Some concussions cause unconsciousness, but many more do not; and without baseline testingm athletes may not realize they have suffered a concussion.

Concussions are common in contact sports such as soccer and football. With a proper diagnosis, young athletes can get proper care and allow time for the injury to heal properly.

According to Alpiner, 1.6 million youths (younger than 18) each year will get a concussion. That number increases to 3 million when the age is raised to include all people younger than 30.

Royal Oak Ravens football player Jason Gostiaux, 15, was happy Beaumont is helping high school athletes. “I'm glad Beaumont can put this on for us so if someone does get a concussion, we have this guide, and we get back to playing as soon as possible and not get worse,” he said.

Soccer team booster Sarah Smith is glad the school and Beaumont are teaming up as well. “This is such a positive event for our athletes and the school's athletic department,” said Smith, whose son Joe, a sophomore, is a keeper for the Ravens. “I feel this event is a very proactive approach to identify baseline behaviors in case they may be used at a future date for a comparison post-injury.”

Smith said she feels confident with the well-known medical facility standing behind Royal Oak High athletes and that the athletic administration continues to keep athletes' health as a priority.

“As a parent, I am pleased and proud that Royal Oak High School is taking steps to partner with Beaumont Health System to keep their student athletes healthier,” she said. “It puts my mind at ease to know the data will be on file to help any athlete who may have suffered a severe head injury."