Howard County school focuses on concussion prevention, treatment
Wilde Lake High School uses concussion test
High school athletes have returned to the playing field. One of the top concerns among coaches is how to go about preventing and treating concussions.
It's the first week of fall football practice at Wilde Lake High School, a time to prepare athletes both mentally and physically.
Thursday was day two of fall practice for the Wildcats, a team with high hopes this season. The team is led by a coach who's focused on injury prevention on and off the playing field.
"We spend a tremendous amount of time teaching kids how to safely tackle in the game of football, how to safely block in the game of football, so it's probably the one thing that's like the common thread throughout everyday practice," coach Mike Harrison said.
From the playing field to a computer screen, each player on the team is required to take a baseline preseason concussion test. The test is used to assess an athlete's balance and brain function. It's something players don't seem to mind.
"If you have a concussion, this school should be aware of it so that you are not injuring yourself even more during the football season," player Daeshawn Eaton said.
It's a test players take seriously.
"At first, you're, like, kind of stressing a little bit because you want to be able to remember the things that you are supposed to remember on it so you don't fail it or anything," player Daniel Yellin said.
Athletic trainers are usually the first to spot an on-field concussion. They said it all comes down to trying to avoid close calls.
"When they are returning, they'll usually do the baseline. When they return to their gradual return to play, we do this as another peace of mind," trainer Allison Hammond said.
It's peace of mind for players and parents alike and a year-round assignment for trainers determined to put safety first.