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UPMC Sports Medicine Physician Discusses Sports-Related Concussions
Written by Laura Miller | November 22, 2010
Mark Lovell, MD, founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program and co-creator of ImPACT, recently spoke with the Indiana Gazette about sports-related concussions and how athletes can prevent multiple concussions.
The ImPACT test is administered to athletes before the season, and the scores are used as a baseline for when athletes should return to play after a concussion. The tests have been adopted by the NFL, NHL and MLB as well as four million colleges and high schools.
U.S. high schools pay $500-$700 per year for the test, while professional teams pay $1,000 per year. The Australian-based CogState has marketed a similar test, CogSport, in the U.S. that can be purchased for one-time use.
Dr. Lovell cautions athletes to stay away from physical activity after incurring a concussion until the damage has fully healed to avoid multiple concussions, which could leave long-term traumatic effects on the athlete.
Read the Indiana Gazette story about concussion testing.
Read other coverage on concussions:
- AMA: High School Athletes Need Physician Notes Before Returning to Play After Concussions
- American Academy of Neurosurgery: 5 Recommendations on Sports Concussions
- 10 Stories for Team Physicians About Concussion Awareness
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