At the start of this season, NASCAR
recommended that drivers who did not already have a baseline test secure one,
while also indicating that a pre-season baseline mandate could become effective
as soon as next year.
Baseline testing will be performed through
the use of an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive
Testing) test, which is a widely-used neurocognitive assessment tool. The
result of neurocognitive testing is one factor out of many that doctors use to
diagnose and treat concussions. This particular test evaluates an athlete’s
verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time.
By performing this test prior to the start of
a season of competition, doctors are given a snapshot of an athlete’s brain
function while in a healthy state. Doctors can then use that baseline to
compare to post-concussion tests to assist them in both evaluating the effects
of any injury and informing their decisions to return an athlete to
competition.
“NASCAR made this decision because we think
it is important to drivers’ health for doctors to have the best information and
tools available in evaluating injuries,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR vice
president of racing operations. “Before announcing this rule, we provided
drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for
them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes
in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our
sport and have been used for treatment through the years.”
Since NASCAR’s recommendation prior to the
start of this season, drivers were invited to two concussion education sessions
featuring Dr. Vinay Deshmukh, M.D. of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates,
a member of NASCAR’s Medical Advisory Group of Consulting Physicians. At those
sessions, drivers were presented with an overview of what concussions are,
their causes, treatment and the role that baseline tests play in the
comprehensive evaluation of concussions.
“We
are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in
sports,” O’Donnell said. “We regularly review all of our practices involving
safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should
do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary
example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can.”
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