Our players safety is of paramount concern to the coaches. Please read below about baseline testing and concussions in soccer and what parents can do - before it happens.
"You could preface this with our experience with our 12-year-old who got a concussion when he was fouled by an opponent when running full-speed in early May, and landed on his head. Hospital diagnosed it as a mild concussion, and he's been taking it easy (avoiding high-impact physical activities) for a month. But he had another (less severe) fall on his head in a game this weekend; and the dizziness and blurred vision returned.
I wish we already had the baseline test results that Carleton U can provide; to help gauge my son's recovery progress. And I recommend this as a pretty economical safety measure for youths who are involved in competitive contact sports like soccer, hockey, etc…
I'm taking my whole family to get the baseline testing this week"
Signs observed:
- Appears to be dazed or stunned
- Is confused about assignment
- Forgets plays
- Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness (even temporarily)
- Shows behaviour or personality change
- Forgets events prior to hit (retrograde amnesia)
- Forgets events after hit (anterograde amnesia)
Signs reported by athlete:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish
- Feeling "foggy"
- Change in sleep pattern
- Concentration or memory problems
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Some info on "neurocognitive" baseline testing that is available at the Carleton U Sports Medicine Clinic.
Back in March, a friend mentioned a group at the Carleton Univ Sports Medicine Clinic who offer base-line "neurocognitive" testing for individuals. Idea being to gather some baseline metrics on a person's cognitive ability, so healing can be better 'measured' in the event of any future concussion/brain injury.
Cost for the baseline testing is $30.
I wish I'd taken the whole family for this testing before Matt got injured… Then we could have gone-back to do comparative testing during the past month.
I called, spoke with Bruce Marshall, head therapist at Carleton U (613-520-5623), and got this info:
· Baseline testing costs $30, takes appx 30minutest per person, and can be done during evenings. They can test 2 or 3 people at a time.
· Call 613-520-5623 to book appointment.
· They're located in the Carleton U Athletic Centre, same building as the Tim Horton's, just South of Keith Harris stadium. Enter the doors from parking lot and take a quick Left toward the "Athlete Therapy Clinic". Ask for Bruce Marshall.
