A concussion is an injury to the brain that is caused by a blow to the head or body that may result in improper brain functioning. A concussion can range from mild to very severe and manifests itself differently in each individual. By managing concussions individually and considering the student-athlete’s medical history, it allows the physicians and certified athletic trainers to ensure the safety of the student-athlete.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Disorientation
- Balance problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Vision changes
- Amnesia
- Sensitivity to light and/or noise
- Loss of consciousness
Prior to the start of an athlete’s participation at Bluffton University:
- Athlete will be given an informational sheet on head injuries and the student-athlete’s responsibilities in the prevention and management of such injuries.
- Athlete will sign the “signature page” indicating they received the information sheet and understand their responsibility in the prevention and management of head injuries.
- Athlete will undergo an ImPACT examination, a computer-based examination, to establish a cognitive baseline score before any physical activity is permitted. This baseline does not need to be repeated annually. This score is documented and available to all ATC and sports medicine staff at Bluffton University.
Reporting a concussion
Any student-athlete who suspects they may have a concussion is responsible for reporting the concussion to the sports medicine staff. Anyone who suspects a student-athlete has a concussion or notices any athlete suffering from any symptoms of a concussion, should report their concerns to the sports medicine staff.
ImPACT examination
Each student-athlete in a sport that is considered to be a moderate to high risk of a concussion will take the ImPACT Examination. The student-athlete will take the baseline test until it is deemed valid by the program, usually one time. The only other time they will be required to take the test is if they sustain a concussion and the score will be compared to the student-athlete’s baseline score. The student-athlete will not be allowed to begin activity until the post concussion score is comparable to their baseline.
Take home instructions
Each student-athlete who sustains a concussion will have post-concussion instructions to take home with them. These instructions will be explained to the student-athlete and their roommate, or the individual they will be staying with for the night. A follow-up appointment with the certified athletic trainer will be scheduled for the next day in order to provide the best care possible.
At no time shall an athlete be denied access to a physician for medical evaluation.
At Bluffton University, we take pride in providing optimal healthcare to all student-athletes.
