Winter weekends across the Mornington Peninsula mean packed ovals and courts, from junior football and netball at local grounds to basketball and cricket nets in the off-season. With that level of community sport comes an unavoidable reality: knocks to the head happen, and concussion is one of the more common injuries seen in junior and community-level sport.
Many local clubs are now asking their osteopaths and allied health providers about baseline testing as part of their season preparation. This article explains what baseline testing actually involves, why clubs are introducing it, and how it fits into a broader approach to supporting young athletes after a head knock.
What Is Concussion Baseline Testing?
Baseline testing involves a player completing a series of standardised checks, such as balance assessments, memory and concentration tasks, and symptom reporting, while healthy and free of injury. This creates a personal reference point. If that same player is later suspected of having a concussion, clinicians can compare their post-injury results to their own baseline rather than relying solely on general population norms.
This individualised comparison is a core part of recognised concussion frameworks, including those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI), which our osteopaths at The Seaside Osteo are trained through. Baseline testing does not diagnose concussion on its own and it does not prevent concussion from occurring. Instead, it is one tool that supports a more informed clinical picture when an injury is suspected.
Why Community Clubs on the Peninsula Are Taking This Seriously
Junior sports players are still developing, and their bodies and brains respond differently to head impacts than adult athletes. Community clubs from McCrae down through Dromana, Rosebud and Rye often run on volunteer coaches and limited sideline medical support, which makes having a clear, pre-agreed process for suspected head injuries especially valuable.
When a club has baseline data on file for its players, it gives treating clinicians more information to work with if a concussion is suspected during a game or training session. It also helps formalise a club’s approach to injury management, which is increasingly expected as part of good governance in junior sport.
- Provides an individual reference point rather than relying on generic norms alone
- Supports a more structured, consistent approach to suspected head injuries across a club
- Helps coaches and team managers feel more confident about what steps to take
- Can be built into pre-season training days, making it easy to complete for an entire squad
How Baseline Testing Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Baseline testing is one part of a wider concussion management approach, not a standalone solution. It sits alongside sideline recognition tools, symptom monitoring, and a graduated return-to-learn and return-to-play process guided by a qualified clinician. Our osteopaths draw on concussion testing and assessment approaches that follow recognised guidelines, including those used in AFL community football, to help guide these decisions.
It is important to understand that no testing protocol, baseline or otherwise, can guarantee a player will not be concussed, or that a return to play is entirely without risk. What baseline testing and follow-up assessment can do is support a more informed, individualised decision-making process for players, families and clubs.
Getting a Club Involved
Setting up baseline testing for a club typically starts with a conversation about the squad size, age groups and season timing. Testing is often scheduled during pre-season training so it can be completed efficiently for a whole team in one session, well before the risk of injury arises during matches.
Clubs across the Mornington Peninsula who are considering this for the upcoming season are welcome to reach out to discuss how a testing session could be structured around their training calendar. For clubs and parents who want a broader introduction to concussion recognition and management before committing to testing, our free concussion workshop is a useful starting point.
Supporting Recovery When a Concussion Is Suspected
If a player is suspected of sustaining a concussion during a game or training session, the priority is immediate removal from play and a proper assessment, not a rushed return. Baseline data can help inform that assessment, but the follow-up process, monitoring symptoms, guiding a graduated return to school and sport, is just as important.
Our clinic offers concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula for individual athletes as well as club-based baseline programs, alongside general osteopathy care for the musculoskeletal side of sports injuries. Working with a clinician who understands both the assessment process and the practical realities of junior sport helps families and clubs navigate these decisions with better information.
A Practical Step for the Season Ahead
As junior sport ramps up again across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye, baseline testing offers community clubs a practical, evidence-informed step to add to their injury management planning. It will not remove the risk of head injury from contact and collision sports, but it does give clinicians, players and families more to work with if that risk becomes a reality.
Clubs interested in setting up a baseline testing session ahead of the season, or wanting to learn more about how concussion assessment works, are encouraged to get in touch to discuss options suited to their squad.
Frequently asked questions
What age should players start baseline testing?
Baseline testing is generally suitable from the age junior athletes begin regular contact or collision sport, though the right timing can vary by individual and sport. It is worth discussing your club’s age groups with a clinician trained in concussion assessment to determine what makes sense for your squad.
How often does baseline testing need to be repeated?
Because young athletes are still developing, baseline results can change over time, so many clubs choose to repeat testing each season or every one to two years. A clinician can advise on a suitable schedule based on the age group and club circumstances.
Does a baseline test replace the need for a doctor if a concussion is suspected?
No. Baseline testing is a supporting tool that provides comparison data, not a diagnostic replacement for proper medical assessment. Any player suspected of concussion should be removed from play and assessed by a qualified health professional.
Can baseline testing be done for a whole club at once?
Yes, many clubs arrange baseline testing sessions during pre-season training so an entire squad or age group can be tested efficiently in one visit. This is often the easiest way for community clubs on the Mornington Peninsula to build testing into their season planning.
Does baseline testing prevent concussions from happening?
No testing protocol can prevent a concussion or guarantee a risk-free return to play. Baseline testing instead supports more informed assessment and decision-making if a head injury is suspected during the season.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.