Helmet safety and concussions have been in the spotlight in recent years and now there's a new defensive strategy on the football fields in Frisco.
Saturday, all eight Frisco ISD football teams will play their first game in the Ford Center at The Star and on the sidelines will be a team of neuropsychologists.
They're part of Baylor Scott & White's Brain Injury Program, a concussion assessment and management program that will be available at The Star.
In a move no other North Texas district offers, a neuropsychologist will be on the field at every Frisco ISD football game at the district's three stadiums this season. They will work with athletic trainers to determine if a child who is hurt during the game should be taken out and if he should go to the hospital.
"If they're not going to be back in the game, we need to make sure, number one, that they're safe to not go to the hospital. That's where the neuropsychologist can assist, as well to look for those acute signs that would indicate a more significant injury that would warrant transport to the hospital," said Dr. Mark Burisa, Director of Neuropsychology at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation.
They'll also be there to guide parents through the next steps if their child does suffer a head injury.
The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment recommends the following tips for parents and coaches this football season.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Know Your Helmet
There are no concussion-proof helmets. Advertising or other media claims that a particular helmet is anti-concussion or concussion-proof are not supported by research and can be misleading and dangerous.
Proper fit is very important. Helmets should not be too tight or too loose. If there is considerable room for your child’s head to move, there is a greater risk of injury.
Look for the logo on the back of the helmet that reads, “Meets NOCSAE Standard.” NOCSAE standards are adopted by regulatory bodies for sports such as the NCAA, the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NFL, USA Football and Pop Warner.
A study found that there is no significant difference in the effectiveness or performance of helmets for concussion protection by make or model - as long as they have been certified as meeting the NOCSAE standard.
Do not alter, change or remove padding or other components of the helmet. Because the original components were tested as part of one helmet to meet NOCSAE standards, removing or altering these components may mean the helmet does not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
