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31 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER. 2015 SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY AN ATHLETE • Headache or "pressure" in head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Double or blurry vision • Sensitivity to light • Sensitivity to noise • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy • Concentration or memory problems • Confusion • Just not "feeling right" or is "feeling down" SIGNS OBSERVED BY PARENTS AND COACHES • Player appears dazed or stunned • Is confused about assignment or position • Forgets an instruction • Is unsure of game, score or opponent • Moves clumsily • Answers questions slowly • Loses consciousness (even briefly) • Shows mood, behavior or personality changes • Can't recall events prior to hit or fall • Can't recall events after hit or fall Be proactive and remove the athlete from play if you see any of the following: SIDELINE TEST TAKES GUESSWORK OUT OF CONCUSSION DIAGNOSIS Checking a player for the signs and symptoms of a concussion can be a tricky thing, especially in the heat of the game. That's why the Reston (Va.) Raiders are among a growing number of youth sports teams that are taking the guesswork out of the process by using the King-Devick test. Validated by Mayo Clinic researchers, the King- Devick test is an easy-to- administer, vision-based test that evaluates rapid eye movement, vision and attention, all of which can be affected by concussions. "For us, the test is quick and objective, and players who might otherwise hide symptoms cannot hide a failed King-Devick test score," says Kaki Schmidt, hockey parent and Safety/ Concussion Program director for the league. "It is administered rinkside by one of the team's parent safety volunteers, allowing coaches to continue running the bench." After suspected head trauma, the athlete reads single-digit numbers displayed on standardized test cards. The results are then compared to the individual's previously administered baseline test. If the time needed to complete the test takes longer than the baseline, the athlete should be removed from play until evaluated by a medical professional. Detecting a concussion on the sidelines and removing an athlete from play can assist in minimizing the effects of an injury and help prevent an athlete from suffering a second and more serious concussion. "Youth athletes are at a higher risk for concussion and a longer recovery time than adults," says Amaal Starling, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist. Most importantly, Starling says, the test is affordable and can easily be used by any youth sports league, and administered by non- medical personnel. "The King-Devick test represents a rapid, accurate and cost-effective tool to identify a potential concussion on the sideline and make appropriate game-time, remove-from- play decisions," she says. For the Reston Raiders, any player who fails the King-Devick test at injury is immediately removed from the game. And according to Schmidt, 80 percent of players failing the King-Devick test who go for medical evaluation are diagnosed with a concussion. "Because KD is effective in flagging players with a suspected concussion in the middle of a busy game or practice," Schmidt says, "it is a valuable tool for greatly reducing the risk of another head injury in our players." —The Mayo Clinic HEADS UP!