LAWRENCEVILLE—The Gwinnett County School System is looking to keep athletes safe with better diagnoses of concussions.
The school system is hosting "Concussion Baseline Testing Day" at 19 area high schools (listed at the bottom of this article).
According to a release, athletes 12 years and older can be tested free of charge to determine their baseline brain functions, though registration is required.
The school's RSVP page says: "Baseline tests are conducted with ImPACT, a computer-based neurocognitive test that documents individual brain function prior to any injury. ImPACT looks at five areas of neurocognitive functioning: Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual-Motor Speed, Reaction Time, and Impulse Control."
Testing will be done in the schools' computer labs Saturday, August 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
This will help with the diagnosis of concussions should they occur, giving medical personnel something to compare.
Attendees are asked not to exercise for the three hours leading up to the test to ensure accurate results.
Concussions, which happen in both contact and non-contact sports, are caused by blows—or even just bumps—to the head.
The schools participating are:
| Archer | Collins Hill | Grayson | Mountain View | Peachtree Ridge |
| Berkmar | Dacula | Lanier | Norcross | Shiloh |
| Brookwood | Discovery | Meadowcreek | North Gwinnett | South Gwinnett |
| Central Gwinnett | Duluth | Mill Creek | Parkview |
