ImPACT Concussion Testing

In 2009, amid growing concerns about sport-related concussions in young athletes, Marin Catholic High School partnered with Dr. Eric J. Freitag, a neuropsychologist and expert on concussion assessment and care.  We were one of the first high schools in Northern California to offer a comprehensive sport concussion assessment and management program.

During the past fifteen years, we have completed 2400 baseline tests and treated 440 student-athletes who have sustained concussions. Approximately 40 concussions a year are treated at MC. These concussions are sustained across every sport with approximately 5 per year being non-sport related and/or suffered off campus.  This program provides us with an effective tool and ensures that Marin Catholic students comply with the “Return to Learn” protocol.  It also ensures that our athletes have recovered from their concussion and comply with the “Return to Sports” protocol.

The goal of the MCHS sports concussion program is twofold:  First, we utilize objective, highly sensitive, computerized neurocognitive testing called ImPACT™ as an effective tool in determining when an athlete has recovered from their injury and is safe to return to athletic participation.  Our injury management protocol is a similar approach used by the NFL, Major League Soccer, and several NCAA schools.  Our second goal is to ensure that our athletes, coaches, staff and parents are educated in proper concussion management and care.  To that end, Dr. Freitag has provided several presentations to parents, athletes and coaches on concussion education.  In addition, every Marin Catholic coach has to complete an online multimedia educational program on concussion management in young athletes.  

For more information on the Sports Concussion Program, please visit: http://sportconcussion.com/.

Jamie Waterman, MCHS Certified Athletic Trainer

Eric J. Freitag, Psy.D, Executive Director, Mt. Diablo Memory Center