ImPACT Sports Concussion Program

Head injuries are on the rise for athletes at all levels of play. An estimated 4 to 5 million concussions occur annually. Cloverleaf High School will beutilizing an innovative program for the treatment of our student-athletes for concussions. The program is called ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). ImPACT provides the sports medicine team with neurocognitive assessment tools and services that have been medically accepted as state-of-the-art best practices -- as part of determining safe return to play decisions.

It is a computerized exam that obtains baseline data of an athlete’s symptoms, memory, reaction time, and other cognitive function prior to the start of the season. The baseline test serves as a benchmark for the student-athletes’ cognitive abilities and concussion symptoms prior to suffering a concussion. If an athlete sustains a concussion during the season, he or she should be evaluated by the certified athletic trainer and primary care sports medicine physician and undergo another ImPACT test within 24 to 72 hours after a concussion and before the return to competition. By comparing these results to his or her pre-season baseline data the sports medicine team can determine the severity of the concussion and the return to play status.

The exam takes about 25-28 minutes and is non-invasive. The program is basically set-up as a “video-game” type format. What it is doing is giving the brain a preseason physical of its cognitive abilities. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time, processing speed, and concentration. It is simple and actually most that take it enjoy the challenge of the test. The exam has gained recognition around the world, and it is currently the most widely utilized computerized concussion management program.

It is mandatory that all contact and collision sports teams have up-to-date ImPACT baselines on file. Athletes will be tested every two years. All new athletes, freshmen athletes, junior athletes and previous concussed athletes must take a baseline exam prior to the start of the season of each season. Any student-athlete that fails to complete the baseline exam will be held out from practice and competition until completed.

Taking the ImPACT Baseline

  1. You must administer the test on a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection and an external mouse. Also, do not run the laptop from the battery, use the A/C connection.
  2. Close all other programs before starting the test. If you have a pop-up blocker installed, you will need to turn it off temporarily allowing pop-ups from the site.
  3. The test will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. To ensure the most accurate results turn off ALL music, cell phones, TVs or other background noises while taking the test. These things can potentially interfere with your ability to answer clearly.
  4. Open an internet connection and log onto sports-health.org (DO NOT type
  5. Scroll down and click on the “Concussion Center” tab
  6. Click on the link to the “Visit our Concussion Center for more information”
  7. On the menu to the left click on the “Diagnostics & Testing” tab
  8. Scroll down and click on the “ImPACT Sports Concussion Program” tab
  9. Click on the link “Take the ImPACT Baseline Test”
  10. Click on the Impact Concussion Testing logo
  11. Select “Launch Baseline Test”
  12. Enter the code: FAE87ACC5E
  13. This should take you to the test. You are taking the test unsupervised and should identify yourself as “Cloverleaf High School” on the drop down menu.
  14. Please answer all questions honestly and follow the test instructions carefully. Missing key instructions or not giving the test your full attention will affect your results.

Thank you for your participation. Go Colts!

Mrs. McMahan

Amanda Kohls-McMahan, AT, MS, ATC

Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Athletic Trainer