Athletic Trainer

More often than not - no.  If your athlete looses consciousness (blacks out) and/or they have severe symptoms and/or an increase in symptoms, then please take them to the emergency room immediately.

Ask yourself this:  has anyone else been sick in your house/around your child?  Has your child hit his head in the last 24 hours or been in a situation where there might be a risk of a concussion in the last 24 hours? 

• If you answered NO then YES --> your child needs to be evaluated by an athletic trainer ASAP.
• If you answered YES then NO --> your child MIGHT be sick (does not mean they do not have symptoms of a concussion) and we will still evaluate and recommend sitting out of sports until they feel better.
• If you answered NO then NO -->  your child probably just has a headache or illness- but we will still evaluate them just to be sure.
• If you answered YES then YES -->  Please have us evaluate them ASAP.

• Football
• Cheer/Stunting
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Diving
• Basketball
• Pole Vaulting
• Softball

Just because your sport is not on this list does not mean you can not get a concussion playing.

REST!! The best thing for a concussion is to both physically and cognitively rest.  You do not need to wake them up every hour - just check on them and monitor them.  Cognitive rest includes a break from TV/Video Games/Cell Phones and Homework.

No. Per Arizona SB1521 and the CUSD Concussion Policy, the only people who can clear your athlete to play are Athletic Trainers, Physician (MD/DO who has been trained in concussion management), Nurse Practitioner, Physicians Assistant.

Concussion Return to Play timelines vary from person to person.  No two concussions are the same.  Typically we wait for the athlete to become asymptomatic - no symptoms then we begin a return to play protocol.  This protocol requires the athlete to progressively return to sports participation over the course of 5 steps - each taking approximately practice that meets those requirements. 

Example #1: If your athlete gets a concussion on a Friday Night and they report zero symptoms on Monday Morning - Monday is now step 0 (which is resting) they will then likely begin their return to play that week and they will not be ready to play on Friday night in the game.

Example #2: Your athlete sustains a concussion on Monday and continues to have symptoms for 1 week until the next Monday.  That is their step 0.  They have already been sitting out for one week and will still have the 5 step return to play.

Neurocognitive Testing is a special test that athletes are given at the beginning of their season and after a concussion.  It is a computerized test that measures memory, reaction time, delayed recall, and basic brain functions.  There are many different tests and companies that offer the test.

Perry High School - and all CUSD High Schools - use Neurocognitive Testing.  We specifically use the ImPACT Test here in the district.

Learn more about ImPACT Testing on ImPACT's website.

We are continuing our use of ImPACT!

Test to help monitor and treat head injuries and concussions.  

All student athletes will be given the ImPACT Test on the listed date below.  If they are absent on that date, they need to schedule a make up date with the athletic trainers prior to their first competition.  

Students will only test once every 2 years to establish a baseline unless they suffer from a concussion.  If an athlete suffers from a concussion they will be reassessed using the ImPACT testing to aid the Sports Medicine team in treating the athlete.

This year the testing includes all Freshmen and Juniors in all sports.  It also includes anyone who is NEW to Perry High School.

Please see your coach for your specific testing date/time and location.

With the exception of all levels of football, all other sports will test after tryouts.

More information to come regarding testing...