New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced a partnership with Headcheck Health, another resource to help student-athletes diagnose concussions.

Middletown High School’s training team, led by head trainer Craig Olejniczak, has invested and led the way in concussion treatment in the 15 years he’s been with the school. They require all student-athletes to participate in a baseline test for the training department’s reference, and equipment that is able to read the severity of impact of a hit.

While concussions in football are commonplace, Olejniczak points out it happens throughout his student-athlete population.

“I think that here at Middletown, I personally see more injuries now with girls soccer and girls lacrosse than I do football,” said Olejniczak.

Now noticing trends in specific sports and their tendencies, Olejniczak is able to understand what his athletes need and how to get them back on the field as quickly as possible, with their health and safety his primary concern.

“Compared to prior … having such technology, it really seems like we’re able to stay ahead of the athlete,” said Olejniczak.

After testing almost 53,000 students between 8th and 12th grades in 2016, a Journal of American Medical Association study concluded that almost 20% had at least one self-reported concussion. In 2020, that rose to almost 25%.

“We have send a numbers increase, and we attribute that to the more awareness of what a concussion is. Whereas years ago, students may have suffered a concussion but they didn’t know what a concussion was … didn’t have any idea,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas.

It’s something Olejniczak sees on an annual basis, and has built his resources to help monitor. While Middletown High School hasn’t used Headcheck Health yet, Olejniczak was open to working it into their concussion treatment tool belt and is proud of his department’s investment in treating traumatic brain injuries.

“The platforms are great; it’s just another tool,” said Olejniczak.