Dec

NBA institutes concussion program

New York -- The NBA has instituted a concussion program that went into effect with the start of training camps.

The league's neurologist in charge of the concussion program will be consulted before any player is allowed to return after suffering a head injury.

Coaches, players and team medical personnel will receive concussion training, and players will take baseline tests before the start of the season.

Baseline concussion testing has been used in the NHL for over a decade, and in the NFL for several years.

Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan is the director of the NBA's concussion program.

Questions/comments? Contact Jean Rickerson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Jacob Resch

Director, Brain Injury Laboratory, Univ. of Texas, Arlington

Q: You do a lot of research on concussed youth athletes. Why is balance testing so important?

REMOVE athlete from play

REFER to medical provider

REST no sports, no texting/TV

RETURN only with doctor's OK

Source: Children's Hospital Boston, Sports Concussion Clinic

(360) 775-8197

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