ImPACT Concussion Testing

Charlotte Public Schools offers free concussion testing to its student athletes as part of the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) program in partnership with EMPOWER, HGB rehabilitation services provided at AL!VE. ImPACT is the most widely used, scientifically validated, computerized concussion evaluation system. It helps assess an athlete’s cognitive status by comparing the baseline test to a post-concussion test when necessary.

Concussion awareness and treatment has become an important health topic in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 170,000 kids and teens are treated in an emergency room each year for sports- or recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.

“Concussions, if not properly recognized and treated, can linger and have long-term effects such as memory problems, personality changes, lack of concentration, language impairments and more,” said Derek Sanders, certified athletic trainer at HGB and Charlotte Public Schools.

Sanders and HGB Physical Therapist Jacob Brown are ImPACT certified. Additionally, HGB has an internal medicine physician on staff who is a credentialed ImPACT consultant for area athletes. Baseline testing for Charlotte student athletes is typically provided in late spring.

Call the Charlotte High School Athletic Office at 517-541-5160 or EMPOWER at AL!VE at 517-541-5800, option 2, with questions regarding ImPACT testing.

Testimonials

“The ImPACT Program has been a critical resource to the girls’ basketball program,” said William Newhouse, Charlotte High School girls’ varsity basketball coach. “I have had three players experience concussion symptoms. It gives parents and coaches important information regarding what to look for and a clear regimen for returning student athletes to full participation.”

One family whose daughter was injured during a basketball scrimmage in summer 2015 wrote: “ImPACT is a great tool for parents to be able to use when making decisions about what is best for their child if injured with a concussion. It took the guesswork out of when and how she could go back to participating in her sport. We are so thankful Charlotte Public Schools has implemented this program for their student athletes.”

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