Recently, there have been a number of articles and reports on the local and national media that have called into question when full recovery from a concussion has taken place and when it is in fact safe to resume sports activities.  Here are some links to articles that appeared in the New York Times and the SF Chronicle within the last 30 days:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/sports/baseball/24dodgers.html?scp=4&sq=august+24%2C2009&st=nyt
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/health/25brod.html?ref=health.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/10/SP2L19KQ95.DTL

  The most current research suggests that the brain might take longer than we think to fully recover from trauma.  There is no way to guarantee that an injury will not occur, but we do have a responsibility to make sure that we, as parents, are as fully informed and as up to date as possible when it comes to the health and welfare of our children.

Our children are involved in an array of sports during the course of the year, both in and out of school that could result in a concussion.  Because a brain injury is not visible and because often times, a person may feel fine soon after sustaining a concussion, they may become active again before they should, which can easily lead to further and perhaps more severe incidents.  The question is not if recovery from concussion is possible…it is.  The question is in determining when recovery has actually taken place and how we can more accurately ascertain when that is. 

On October 5 2009, Dr. Eric Freitag from the Sports Concussion Institute in San Rafael www.sportconcussion.com will be giving a presentation on the most up to date information available on concussion management.  His presentation will include information on  IMPACT testing.  http://www.impacttest.com; IMPACT involves a simple computerized baseline cognitive functions test that is now mandatory for all NFL football players and Officials before their season begins and is now a requirement for many high school and college level sports as well.  If a head injury should occur, a new test is administered and compared to the baseline to determine when it is safe to resume sports activities.  This determination is made in conjunction with medical evaluation by your child’s doctor, coach and trainer recommendations, parental input and athlete self-assessment.  The presentation will be from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Kreps Lounge.

  Both Tamalpais HS and Drake HS have had presentations and have subsequently set up IMPACT testing for their players.  Many of their players have already been tested.  We will have IMPACT baseline testing available for your student athlete on Wednesday, October 7 (a minimum day at Redwood) after school is dismissed and before practice begins.  This computerized cognitive test is not required, but is strongly encouraged by our coaching staff.  The cost per student will be $30 and will take approximately 20 minutes to administer.  If a family is unable to pay, but is interested in taking the test, arrangements can be made.  This test needs to be administered as a private parent-requested venture and is not hosted by Redwood High School.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO COME TO THE PARENT MEETING AT THE KREPS LOUNGE AT REDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 5TH AT 7:00PM AND BE INFORMED!

Please email or call and leave a message if you plan to attend and if you would like your student tested.

 I can be contacted by phone or email anytime with any questions. 

Thank you!

Linda Boghrati
435-8827
KBS-LB@comcast.net

Follow link to get consent forms: Sport Concussion Informed Consent

Our strength & conditioning program will continue until Friday May 15th.  At a lunch meeting held 2 weeks ago, the players were notified of various reasons to attend beyond the obvious gains in speed, agility, power and endurance gained during these workouts.  Players are expected to attend all workouts for which they have no direct scheduling conflict.  All Players must test in Power Clean, Squat, Bench Press, 40 yd. dash, 20 yd. Shuttle, 300 yd. shuttle, and vertical leap before Spring Practice

1. Sophomores-to-be who are not currently involved in a Redwood spring sport, must attend a minimum of 10 sessions (of the 32 remaining as of the announcement) before spring practice to be considered in good enough shape to participate in Fresno Football Camp. 

2. Juniors-to-be must attend 16 of these workouts to be considered eligible to be invited to play Varsity in Fresno, and possibly beyond.