Biodex Concussion Varsity Program Helps Student-Athletes, Coaches And Athletic Training Staff 

“We are extremely excited about getting started with our Biodex Concussion Varsity Program here at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX. The portable BioSway static balance training and testing device that we use with the program is perfect for our facility since we have limited space. The chance to have a portable unit allows us some extra freedom in terms of taking it into the locker room or finding a small area in the athletic training room to set up when we need it.

“Obviously, with all the recent research and concern about concussions, and new demands arising in that area from the N.C.A.A., we want to have a well-defined and proven protocol in place. The Biodex Concussion Management Program is just what we needed and it will play a big part in managing our student-athletes that suffer concussions. One of the most exciting aspects of the program is that it should help ease the minds of both our coaches and athletic training staff as they consider when a student-athlete is ready to return to action. We always have subjective measures such as headaches or fogginess to consider with concussed student-athletes, but now we'll be able to back up our assessments with something more concrete when we speak to the coaching staff. By considering more pieces to the puzzle, such as the subjective measures of symptoms, impact testing results and now the more quantitative BioSway data, we'll be able to back up the idea that a student-athlete is not yet ready to return to the field with real evidence that should ultimately improve communication with the coaching staff.

“Another big plus with the program is that it can help motivated student-athletes better understand that there are additional factors beyond the headaches and "fogginess" that need to be considered before return to play. For example, if balance is compromised, that simply can't be ignored. With the reports and objective data in hand, we can do a better job of educating student-athletes and coaches that, while it may be possible to play through a lot of little bumps and bruises, it's not wise to think a student-athlete can simply suck it up and play through a concussion or head injury. Anything that can help us get that point across is going to be a major help.”