Concussion Baseline Testing

Baseline Testing Recommendations

Concussion baseline testing is done prior to your child starting their athletic season and allows us to be able to compare post-injury results to each child’s pre-injury norm. Baselines help us confidently and safely return a child to full academic and sports participation.

Types of baselines:

There are different types of baseline testing evaluating cognitive function, balance, and oculomotor (eye muscle) function. Because all areas can be affected after a concussion, it is important to ensure that athletes have returned to their personal expected performance after a concussion before clearance. Commonly used concussion baseline tests include ImPACT, Axon/CogSport, SWAY, BioSway, and SportGait. Many Austin-area public and private high schools perform baseline testing prior to contact sports participation. Ask your child’s athletic trainer what they offer. When the school does not offer baseline testing, we recommend testing through an outside source

Who needs a baseline and how often?

Elementary and middle school athletes: yearly

High school athletes: every other year

Post-Injury Cognitive Test Interpretation

Evaluation of cognitive function is an integral part of concussion assessment. This is typically evaluated through computer or app based cognitive tests. Depending on the particular school and sport, many of these tests are performed at school. In-office testing is also sometimes indicated. Post-injury test results require interpretation by a concussion-trained medical provider. When a test interpretation is done (for a test done in office or at school) we file the charges to your insurance company. Not all insurance companies pay for this service, and each has its own particular stipulations regarding coverage. If your insurance policy does not cover cognitive test interpretation, you will be personally responsible for the charges. With any specific questions, please contact our billing department at 512-458-5323, ext. 204. Cognitive tests include ImPACT, SWAY, SportGait, and Cogstate/Axon

Baselines at SportSafe

SportsSafe offers 2 cognitive tests, available as both baseline and post injury tests. We’ve used ImPACT, one of the very first cognitive tests in the market, since 2010. ImPACT primarily evaluates cognitive function, specifically visual and verbal memory and reaction time. As of 2023, SportsSafe is adding SportGait. SportGait was developed in 2020 and includes not only cognitive testing components, but also balance testing. Both baselines can be taken from home (age dependent) and both post-injury tests will be available post-concussion (post-injury test preference will be discussed with each patient and parent). A comparison of both tests is listed below. Click the learn more button below each test to gather additional information, and to purchase and complete your desired test at home.

ImPACT Baseline Testing @ Home

Age: 12 and older (4-11 yr testing iPad testing is available in our office)

Test components: cognitive function (Balance assessment available in our office)

Requirements: Personal computer

Length: 25-30 minutes

Cost: $25 (paid via PayPal)

Results: Email after completion for results (provider@sportssafecbb.com)

SportGait Baseline Testing @ Home

Age: 8 and older

Test components: cognitive function and balance assessment

Requirements: Smart phone app

Length: 10 minutes

Cost: $30 (paid via PayPal)

Results: Results will be emailed by SportGait after test completed. With questions about test interpretation, email provider@sportssafecbb.com

Impact 12 and up Home Baseline Testing

Impact Baseline at Home (12 yrs and up)

There are many options for concussion baseline testing. Baseline tests allows post-injury comparison to pre-injury norms, providing confidence in allowing full return to academic and athletic participation. Areas evaluated in concussion baseline tests include cognitive function (ImPACT, Axon/CogSport, SWAY, SportGait), balance (BioSway, BESS, SWAY, SportGait) and oculomotor function (VOMS). Because all areas can be affected after a concussion, it is important to ensure athletes have returned to their personal expected performance in all areas before concussion clearance.

ImPACT was one of the very first concussion cognitive test baseline and post-injury test platforms. SportsSafe has been using ImPACT since 2010. In recent years, new tests have developed. Like ImPACT, each test has pros and cons. What’s most important is not the specific baseline test(s), but that each child/teen has a baseline and that a post-injury comparison can prove return to baseline before being cleared from a concussion.

To obtain a baseline using the ImPACT cognitive test, purchase the test below via PayPal. The test is done at home with a personal computer and takes 25-30 minutes. After purchase, PayPal should redirect you to a webpage where you click the link “ImPACT baseline testing instructions.” This page will detail computer requirements and instructions for test-takers to read prior to testing. If PayPal does not redirect you, please click here to be redirected to test instructions. If additional assistance is needed, please email provider@sportssafecbb.com.

SportGait Baseline at Home (8 years and Up)

Historically, concussion baseline testing has involved using multiple tests, one assessing cognitive function (ImPACT, Axon/CogSport, SWAY), another evaluating balance (BioSway, BESS, SWAY) and a third evaluation of oculomotor function (VOMS). Because all areas can be affected after a concussion, it is important to ensure athletes have returned to their personal expected performance after a concussion before clearance. SportGait has now created one test to evaluate the most important 2/3 areas.

If your child/teen has previously tested with another modality (ImPACT, Axon/CogSport, SWAY), these are still very useful assessments and post-injury testing can be done using those same tests to serve as a comparison. When due for an updated baseline, it’s your choice to either continue with previous testing modality (ImPACT, Axon/CogSport, SWAY) or begin testing with SportGait. What’s most important is not the specific test taken, but that each child/teen has a baseline and that a post-injury comparison can prove return to baseline before being cleared from a concussion.

SportGait testing at home requires a smart phone for which the SportGait app can be downloaded. Testing takes approximately 10 minutes and, once complete, results will be emailed by SportGait. These results will also be kept on file with SportsSafe, to serve as a comparison, were a concussion to occur. After purchasing the test via PayPal, PayPal should redirect you to a webpage where you click the link “SportGait Home Baseline Testing,” launching specific test instructions.

If PayPal does not redirect you, please click here to be redirected to test instructions. If additional assistance is needed, please email provider@sportssafecbb.com.