Welcome to another school year of athletics at AIS! There are a few new and not so new things that we’ve been doing to help our student-athletes. In August, our coaches and physical education staff were introduced to the Ready, Set, Prevent: Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement Program developed by doctors and physical therapists at the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at CHOP. This program was designed to help reduce lower extremity injuries, particularly anterior cruciate, or ACL injuries. Our coaches are implementing the four sections of this program into their warm-up routines.
Also, did you know that we’ve been using the ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) program in the Upper School since the fall of 2006? It is a computerized exam used to gather baseline brain data in the areas of memory, reaction time, speed and concentration for each athlete. In the event that a head injury or concussion occurs, the student-athlete takes a post-concussion test. This data is then compared to the baseline data that was originally gathered. The ImPACT program is a valuable concussion management tool used to help determine severity and return-to-play guidelines. At this time, we are introducing this program to our Middle School athletes this fall. These two programs are just some of the ways we are helping our student-athletes achieve their optimum potential safely.
Aimee Shelton
Athletic Trainer