A concussion baseline test is a set of measurements taken while an athlete is healthy, such as balance, memory, reaction time and symptoms. If that athlete is later injured, the results give their health care team a personal “normal” to compare against.
It is most often done for athletes in sports with a higher risk of head impacts. A baseline is not required: anyone with a suspected concussion can be assessed and treated without one.
Who tends to get a baseline test
- Players in contact and collision sports such as hockey, football and rugby
- Athletes in sports with falls or high speeds, such as soccer, gymnastics, skiing and snowboarding
- Athletes who have had a concussion before
- Teams and clubs that want the same information on file for every player
What a baseline can and cannot do
- It can give your clinician one more piece of information when deciding how recovery is going.
- It cannot prevent a concussion or diagnose one on its own.
- It does not replace a medical assessment. In Ontario, medical clearance to return to sport comes from a physician or nurse practitioner.
How often should it be repeated?
A baseline goes out of date. Children and teens change quickly as they grow, so programs commonly repeat testing about once a year, and again after recovering from a concussion. Ask us what we recommend for your athlete’s age and sport.
Our experience
Dr. Anthony Aiello has baseline tested over 500 athletes in multiple sports. Please call us to ask about booking a baseline test for an individual athlete or a team.
If you think a concussion has already happened
Do not wait for a baseline. Stop playing, and get assessed as soon as possible. Call 911 for loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, a severe or worsening headache, or increasing confusion. Read what are the signs of a concussion?
More about how we help is on the concussion management page.
Want to ask about baseline testing?