'Baseline' Test Helps Medical Experts Monitor Athletes' Recovery After A Concussion

RIDGEWOOD, N.J.(CBSNewYork) -- More than ever people are talking about concussions, especially when it comes to kids and sports.

Now, more and more children are doing a certain test before the season starts.

The test can help aid in the recovery of a concussion and it's performed before a child suffers the brain injury.

"I just felt a big shock hit me, like whoa," Griffin Grace told CBS2's Alice Gainer.

Grace, 10, was playing linebacker three-weeks-ago when he crashed headfirst into another player.

"After that I heard a little ringing. When we were in the huddle I told my coach 'I need to go sit out,'" he said.

His mom took him to the doctor the next morning and he was diagnosed with a concussion.

"Griffin had sensitivity to light for a while," she said.

Just a week before the hit, Griffin had something called a baseline test which assesses balance and brain function.

"Word memory, design memory, counting, reaction time, and delayed memory," Don Tomaszewski, Director of Sports Medicine, The Valley Hospital, explained.

The baseline data is then used to compare post-concussion data from a repeated test to monitor recovery and determine when it's safe to return to sports.

"We've had coaches say, 'my concussions are going through the roof,' what's happening is they're being reported, there's awareness," Tomaszewski said.

More awareness, especially surrounding athletes. There is even a movie coming out called 'Concussion.'

Tomaszewski said within the last 5 years, return to play progression guidelines have come out nationally. Following them eases an athlete back into the game, rather than having them go back full throttle.

More awareness, new recommendations, but still some unanswered questions.

"There's so much more research now looking at pediatrics. We hadn't had that before. What does a concussion do to that young developing brain? That hasn't been answered yet," he said.

For now, symptom free, and having passed his follow up tests, Griffin will be back on the field Sunday.

Tomaszewski said concussions are diagnosed by symptoms and the test acts as a tool to help determine where an athlete is at in their recovery.

Most high schools provide or require baseline testing and some youth rec leagues require it as well.

For many younger kids it remains optional and insurance won't cover it since it's considered preventative. The test costs about $40.