MADISON (WKOW) -- Concussions from sports like football may have a bigger effect on your child than experts first thought. More schools like Waunakee High School now have steps in place to make sure every athlete in a contact sport is safe.
School leaders say they take every head injury seriously, and are showing us what they do, before any athlete steps on a field.
"Football and hockey are some of the most frequent head injuries we have," said Matt Uftring, Licensed Athletic Trainer.
Matt Uftring is the athletic trainer for Waunakee High School.
He says for about four years the school has paid closer attention to preventing concussions in contact sports.
"If they recur another blow to the head and violent shaking of the head such as whip lash they can compound their injuries it could be life threatening," said Matt Uftring, Licensed Athletic Trainer.
That's why every athlete undergoes this baseline test, before the season even begins. It tests your memory of words and shapes.
If someone is suspected of having a concussion - they undergo the test again.
That's compared to the results of the original test taken at the start of the season.
"Athletes think they're fine and then they'll take the test and it will show they're far from being fine, a not allowed back before they're seen by a physician so that's a big difference
Neurologist Thomas Berentsen with Dean Clinic agrees needs to be paid more attention to.
"Children with even significant injuries and even mild to moderate injuries can have lifelong deficit, for example, brain injuries heal by making a scar, that scar could lead to epilepsy later in life," Thomas Berentsen, Dean Clinic Neurologist.
Right now, Uftring is looking after hockey players at Waunakee.
"It's absolutely making a big difference, that helps us a lot as medical professionals," said Uftring.
Uftring says he actually takes this checklist with him to every game.
He goes through it right away on the field to make sure athletes get the help they need right away.
For more information on keeping your child safe, click here and here.
