Concussion Information

• Impact Concussion Test

At Chadron Public Schools we believe that safety and welfare of student athletes has always been a prime importance, it is the intent of Chadron Public Schools to reemphasize that if your son or daughter is a student athlete, that we take concussions very seriously. Students diagnosed with a concussion from a health care professional will be required to return to learn and participate through a variety of cognitive and physical tests to assure their safety when returning to competition.

• Concussion Information Sheet (View/Download)

ImPACT

Chadron High School is currently implementing an innovative program for our student athletes. This program will assist our team physicians/athletic trainers in evaluating and treating head injuris (e.g., concusssion). In order to better manage concussions sustained by our student athletes, we have acquired a software toll called ImPACT (Immediate Post Concustion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). ImPACT is a computerized exam utilized in many professional, collegiate, and high school sports programs across the coutnry to successfully diagnose and manage concussions. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury during competition, ImPACT is used to help determine the severity of head injury and when the injury has fully healed.

The computerized exam is given to athletes before beginning contact sport practice or competition. This non-invasive test is set up in "video-game" type format and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. It is simple, and actually many athletes enjoy the challenge of taking the test. Essentially, the ImPACT test is a preseason physical of the brain. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time, speed, and concentration. It, however, is not an IQ test.

If a concussion is suspected, the athlete will be required to re-take the test. Both the preseason and post-inury test data is given to a local doctor to help evaluate the injury. The information gathered can also be shared with your family doctor. The test data will enable these health professionals to determine when return-to-play is appropriate and safe for the injured athlete. If an injury of this nature occurs to your child, you will be promptly contacted with all the details.

We wish to stress that the ImPACT testing procedures are non-invasive, and they pose no risks to your student athlete. We are excited to implement this program given that it provides us the best available information for managing concussions and preventing potential brain damange that can occur with multiple concussions. The Chadron High administration, coaching, and athletic training staffs are striving to keep your child's health and safety at the forefront of the student athletic experience. Please return the ImPACT Consent Form with the appropriate signatures. If you have any further questions regarding this program please feel free to contact us at (308) 432-0707.

• ImPACT Consent Form (View/Download)