Making progress on concussions

From the NFL to youth sports, the past couple of years have seen a rapidly growing awareness of the dangers of concussions. Professional teams and youth sports programs alike are taking steps to reduce concussions and mitigate their potential longterm impact on players' lives.

In Sisters, the effort is already paying off.

The Center Foundation certified athletic trainer John Barresse (known as JB) reported some promising results to the Sisters School Board Wednesday: Last year, Outlaws fall sports reported 15 concussions, 13 of them in football. Fall sports this year concluded with only three concussions, one in football, one in girls soccer and one in boys soccer. There was not a single season-ending injury this year.

Of the 13 football concussions last year, a majority were among freshmen and sophomores. Attentiveness to equipment may have helped reduce the numbers this year.

Barresse said, "When you have the right amount of air in the helmet, it is not comfortable. Head Coach Gary Hedin spent a lot of time making sure that the kids were aware that you have to have (the right amount of) air in your helmets."

Coaches and athletic personnel are much more attuned to the potential for head injury.

"A lot of this is awareness," said Barresse, "We are seeing a lot more numbers (of concussions) because coaches are learning what concussions are. We are still trying to figure out the proper treatment protocol. Treating pro athletes is vastly different than the way you treat someone with a still-developing brain."

Barresse was first assigned to Sisters last year by The Center Foundation to promote student health, wellness and health education. JB has worked extensively with the high school coaches and student athletes to aid in the adoption of equipment and practices specifically to minimize the occurrence concussive injuries. He is also working to develop best practices in spotting and dealing with concussions when they do occur.

"JB is one of the best in the region," said Superintendent Jim Golden, "He is great with kids, a real kid magnet, and has also done some coaching for us."

Barresse, Athletic Director Tim Roth and school nurse Trish Roy are working together to produce a draft school policy on the handling of concussions to bring to the school board in the spring for approval.

The Center Foundation of Bend picks up the entire cost for Barresse's work. However this year St. Charles Medical Center stepped up to sign a three-year contract to cover 75 percent of Barresse's salary through The Center Foundation.

At this point, Barresse has worked exclusively with the high school, but he will be expanding his program to middle school sports.

The Center Fondation's website notes that, "It's not uncommon to see physicians from The Center on the sidelines of local high school athletic events, from football to soccer to basketball. For over 25 years, The Center has provided on-site physicians for high school sporting events with a high risk of injury."