AAPA Concusion baseline survey
As I mentioned at the Parent Meeting last month, I see the mission of the Arlington Aerials Parent Association (AAPA) to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our daughters who have chosen this amazing, demanding, and rewarding sport. This interpretation of our mission statement is why AAPA pays for all of the coaches safety training and their professional memberships in USAG so they have all the latest knowledge and skills to work with our kids. This interpretation of our mission statement is also why I am writing to you today to get your input on a potential avenue for helping to further “ensure the health and wellbeing” of our Aerials.
For those of you who came to the Parent Meeting last month, you were also able to hear an excellent presentation from staff at Body Dynamics Inc (BDI) on the prevalence of concussions in gymnastics and other sports, the physiology of a concussion and the different modalities used to help someone after they have suffered a concussion. BDI also briefly mentioned a pre-concussion screening test called ImPACT that is widely used throughout the country to develop a cognitive baseline before an athlete is concussed. This baseline information can be then be used to shape an individualized treatment plan.
BDI has offered to perform this ImPACT testing at Barcroft on a Saturday (hopefully during practice for as many of the girls as possible) at a substantially discounted rate. The AAPA Board of Directors would like to survey our members to see what the interest / demand would be for this concussion baseline prescreening. In particular, we would like to understand how many of the Aerials have already had this ImPACT testing through their school, their pediatrician, or because they have previously suffered a concussion. As noted above, this ImPACT testing tool is used so widely and there is no benefit from having your child undergo this testing at their middle or high school in September and at Barcroft in November.
Given that this test is meant to develop a baseline of cognitive skills prior to injury, the test might not be as valid for some of our younger gymnasts. In consultation with BDI, the ImPACT test is best suited to individuals 12 years and older. If a decision is made to move forward with this for the Aerials, we would heed BDI's counsel and offer this testing to gymnasts over the age of 12. If this is successful, we can repeat it next year which would allow us to bring more of our athletes into this screening program.
At the end of the test, parents would be provided a summary of the results to take home with them. The more detailed data would reside with BDI and in the event that your child suffers a concussion BDI would provide the more detailed data to your doctor, physical therapist, or you could choose to pursue treatment at BDI.
The cost of this baseline screening depends on the number of Aerials who sign up for it (i.e., the more kids who sign up the lower the cost per kid). It could range anywhere between $20-$50 per athlete. Given the wide range in potential costs, AAPA would like to get a good estimate of how many athletes might be interested in this.
Thank you.
Jim Dooley, AAPA President
For those of you who came to the Parent Meeting last month, you were also able to hear an excellent presentation from staff at Body Dynamics Inc (BDI) on the prevalence of concussions in gymnastics and other sports, the physiology of a concussion and the different modalities used to help someone after they have suffered a concussion. BDI also briefly mentioned a pre-concussion screening test called ImPACT that is widely used throughout the country to develop a cognitive baseline before an athlete is concussed. This baseline information can be then be used to shape an individualized treatment plan.
BDI has offered to perform this ImPACT testing at Barcroft on a Saturday (hopefully during practice for as many of the girls as possible) at a substantially discounted rate. The AAPA Board of Directors would like to survey our members to see what the interest / demand would be for this concussion baseline prescreening. In particular, we would like to understand how many of the Aerials have already had this ImPACT testing through their school, their pediatrician, or because they have previously suffered a concussion. As noted above, this ImPACT testing tool is used so widely and there is no benefit from having your child undergo this testing at their middle or high school in September and at Barcroft in November.
Given that this test is meant to develop a baseline of cognitive skills prior to injury, the test might not be as valid for some of our younger gymnasts. In consultation with BDI, the ImPACT test is best suited to individuals 12 years and older. If a decision is made to move forward with this for the Aerials, we would heed BDI's counsel and offer this testing to gymnasts over the age of 12. If this is successful, we can repeat it next year which would allow us to bring more of our athletes into this screening program.
At the end of the test, parents would be provided a summary of the results to take home with them. The more detailed data would reside with BDI and in the event that your child suffers a concussion BDI would provide the more detailed data to your doctor, physical therapist, or you could choose to pursue treatment at BDI.
The cost of this baseline screening depends on the number of Aerials who sign up for it (i.e., the more kids who sign up the lower the cost per kid). It could range anywhere between $20-$50 per athlete. Given the wide range in potential costs, AAPA would like to get a good estimate of how many athletes might be interested in this.
Thank you.
Jim Dooley, AAPA President
