According to a recent article in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, kids who sustain a TBI are less likely to return to play within a week if they have neurocognitive testing performed as part of their treatment. While this is probably a valid reason for using the testing, (and I doubt that the testing is that cause of any increase in impairments) I can think of several coaches who will have a very difficult time with understanding this issue. I have already have heard several comments about how coaches will not refer to an ATC who will use the testing so that they can get their star athlete back in the game sooner. Talk about a disgusting problem waiting to happen. Fortunately, these coaches are in the overwhelming minority and I pray they are not in a head position that could result in an unfortunate situation.
Of course, the other disturbing finding in this study was that the vast majority of the TBIs were a result of a head to head hit. The kind of hit that was called far too infrequently in high school football this past season as a penalty.
Finally, ESPN The Magazine also had an interesting, informal poll that asked various people who are involved in high school athletics and their attitudes towards TBIs. The Concussion Blog as a short summary of it on their pages.
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