Abbotsford Soccer is dedicated to the safety of our current and future athletes. For this reason, we have teamed up with Complete Concussion Management (CCMI), a national research and concussion care organization who shares the same goal. By providing training on the most current, research-based, best practices within concussion to local health care providers, as well as our coaches & training staff, this partnership brings the concussion issue under control and allows kids to continue enjoying the sport they love while also ensuring their safety. Through CCMI, Abbotsford Soccer is not only providing evidence-based concussion care for our members, but also helping to further concussion research for the rest of the world and the future health of our athletes.
Please watch the video and read the information below to learn more:
What is baseline testing?
A baseline test is a battery of tests that measures every area of brain function that could potentially become affected following a concussion. The reason this test is termed a “baseline” is because it is done BEFORE the athlete gets injured. In the event of a concussion, the baseline results can be compared to post-injury results to determine when an athlete has fully recovered and is safe to return to sport.
It’s important to note that baseline testing MUST include multiple different tests in order to test various areas of the brain. Baseline tests consisting of only 1-2 assessments or only online testing have been shown to be insufficient and can put athletes at risk to be returned to sport too soon.
What are the risks associated with concussion?
Research has established that the IMPROPER management of concussion, or more specifically, receiving a second concussion prior to full recovery of the first, can lead to long-term brain damage, severe brain injury and potentially even death.
The good news is that having one concussion has not yet been shown to produce any serious long-term effects across numerous studies. Multiple studies have also demonstrated that when a second concussion happens after the brain has fully recovered, there is little to no additive or cumulative effect.
Therefore the concern surrounding concussion is significantly reduced provided these injuries are managed appropriately and ensuring full BRAIN recovery (NOT symptom recovery), prior to returning to sport!
Is there treatment for concussions?
Rest is important in the first few days following a concussion, however recent evidence demonstrates that prolonged rest can actually increase your chance of developing lingering symptoms. Although, there have been no studies that have shown the effectiveness of any medications for concussion, research has established that rehabilitation for your vision, balance system, cardiovascular system, and treatment on the neck may be more effective in reducing symptoms and significantly improving recovery time following concussion. For the best outcomes, ensure you are working with a health-care provider who is trained and experienced in the treatment and management of concussions.
Coach/Trainer Concussion Sideline Course:
The research
shows that more than 50% of concussions are not picked up on the sidelines. To minimize this, we now require all of our coaches and trainers to complete the CCMI Concussion Sideline Course. This online course is designed to equip those on the sidelines with a basic understanding of what a concussion is, and how to recognize, properly assess, and report these injuries. It also provides insight on how to safely manage a recovering athlete back into the classroom and sporting environment.
Completion of this course provides our Staff Coaches and Team Head Coaches with access to the Concussion Tracker smartphone application, which enables them to assess and report suspected concussions directly to certified concussion clinics, as well as track the recovery status of injured athletes, all from their smartphones! This allows all of us to be on the same page when it comes to concussion safety and return-to-school/return-to-sport protocols.
Who is Compete Concussion Management?
Concussion is a topic that is not widely covered in current medical and allied health educational curriculum’s. This has led to difficulty in patients finding quality concussion care that is consistent with the most up-to-date medical literature. To fill this void, Complete Concussion Management (CCMI) has developed a national network of health-care providers with advanced training on the most current, evidence-based, best practices for concussion injuries. Baseline tests and concussion treatment within partnered CCMI clinics are recorded electronically on a national concussion health record system. With your first visit you will receive the new CCMI Concussion Health Card that gives you access to your concussion e-file and access to standardized care throughout the country. This information will also be used for research purposes to further global understanding on the proper management and rehabilitation of concussion.
We require all of our athlete’s ages 12 and older to participate in the CCMI program for baseline testing and treatment of suspected concussions. We also strongly encourage those athletes ages 8 and up to take advantage of this opportunity. To locate your closest clinic, please visit: www.completeconcussions.com/find-a-clinic
View the ASA Concussion Policy, developed in partnership with CCMI.
Concussion FAQs and Myths
Do helmets and mouth guards prevent concussions?
– Unfortunately, there is no research to support ANY protective equipment available to reduce the risk or prevent concussions from occurring.
Do you need to lose consciousness to receive a concussion?
– No, 90% of concussions do not result in loss of consciousness.
Can an MRI or other scans diagnose or determine recovery of a concussion?
– No. These scans look for structural damage in the brain. However, a concussion results in an energy deficit rather than structural damage.
Can you return to sport when you no longer have symptoms?
– No. Symptoms typically resolve in 7 – 10 days, however the metabolic recovery (the actual recovery of the brain) of a concussion can take much longer.
The CCMI Athlete Assistance Program is available to all athletes under the age of 18 who fall within the low-income family category for their residing province. Approval is based on Statistics Canada’s Provincial Low Income Cut-offs. To apply, please fill out the required information below and attach all necessary documents. Once the application has been reviewed the Parent/Guardian will receive an applicant status email. All application must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the predetermined baseline testing date.
CCMI Baseline Testing Assistance Program Application Form
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