Winter weekends across the Mornington Peninsula mean packed ovals and courts, from AFL and football at local grounds to netball games in McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye. With that level of community sport comes an ongoing responsibility to think carefully about head knocks and how clubs, schools and families respond to them.
Concussion baseline testing is one tool that can help. It does not stop a concussion from happening, and it is not a substitute for proper medical assessment after a suspected head injury. What it does is give clinicians a reference point for that individual athlete, which can support more informed decisions later on if an injury does occur.
What Is Baseline Testing?
Baseline testing involves recording a young athlete’s normal function across areas such as balance, coordination, memory, concentration and symptom reporting, before the season begins or before any injury occurs. This creates an individual reference point rather than relying purely on generic population averages.
If a player is later suspected of having sustained a concussion, clinicians trained in recognised frameworks, such as those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI), can compare post-injury results against that athlete’s own baseline. This comparison is one piece of a broader clinical picture used to support, not replace, individual assessment and decision-making by a qualified health professional.
Why It Matters for Junior Sport on the Peninsula
Junior sports players are still developing physically and neurologically, which is part of why organisations such as the AFL have published concussion guidelines specifically addressing return-to-play pathways for younger athletes. Clubs across the Peninsula, whether football, netball, basketball or cricket, are increasingly asked by parents and league bodies to take a considered approach to head injury management.
Because normal development varies so much between individual children and teenagers, a single “average” test score is often less useful than knowing what is normal for that specific young athlete. This is one of the reasons baseline testing has become part of recognised concussion management frameworks used by allied health professionals working with junior and community sport.
What Happens During a Baseline Assessment
A baseline concussion assessment is typically straightforward and non-invasive. It generally includes:
- A review of medical history, including any previous head injuries
- Balance and coordination screening
- Cognitive tasks assessing memory and concentration
- Symptom checklists completed by the athlete
- Basic vision and reaction-based screening, depending on the clinician’s assessment
The results are recorded and kept on file so they can be referred to if a concussion is later suspected. Many families choose to repeat baseline testing periodically, particularly as children grow, since normal function can change over time.
How This Supports Return-to-Play Decisions
Return-to-play decisions after a suspected concussion should always involve individual clinical assessment, ideally by a health professional trained in current concussion guidelines. Baseline data does not make this decision automatically or guarantee a particular outcome. Instead, it gives the assessing clinician additional context, helping them compare an athlete’s current presentation against their own prior normal.
This is why our team’s approach to concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula is framed around supporting informed, individualised decision-making rather than offering a pass or fail result. Recovery from concussion is not linear, and ongoing monitoring often matters as much as the initial assessment.
Working With Local Clubs and Schools
Osteopaths trained through Complete Concussions frameworks can work alongside coaches, trainers and school staff to help build awareness of concussion recognition and management pathways. This might include guidance on when a player should be removed from the field, what graded return-to-sport steps generally look like, and when to seek further medical review.
For clubs and schools wanting to build this understanding across a whole team or cohort, our free concussion workshop covers recognition, response and general management principles in plain language. It is a useful starting point for coaches and parents who want to understand the basics before the season gets underway.
Getting Started With Baseline Testing
Many Peninsula families arrange baseline testing before the AFL, netball or football season starts, so the information is on file well before any injury occurs. Some clinics also offer general osteopathy support for junior athletes managing training loads, growth-related niggles or general movement concerns alongside concussion-related care.
If you are a parent, coach or club administrator on the Mornington Peninsula wanting to understand more about baseline and concussion testing for your team, it is worth discussing your options with a clinician trained in recognised concussion assessment frameworks well ahead of the season.
Frequently asked questions
What age should a young athlete start baseline concussion testing?
There is no single fixed age, but many families arrange baseline testing once a child begins regular contact or collision sport, such as junior AFL, netball or football. A clinician can advise on appropriate timing based on the individual athlete and sport involved.
Does a normal baseline test mean my child cannot get concussed?
No. Baseline testing does not prevent concussion or reduce injury risk. It simply records an individual’s normal function so that, if a head injury is later suspected, clinicians have a personal reference point to help guide assessment.
How often should baseline testing be repeated?
This varies by individual, but many clinicians recommend periodic retesting, particularly during periods of rapid growth and development in children and teenagers, since normal function can change over time.
Can baseline testing be done for a whole sports team?
Yes, many clubs arrange group baseline testing sessions ahead of the season for players across age groups. This can be a practical way for football, netball or other community clubs on the Mornington Peninsula to prepare before the season starts.
If my child is suspected of having a concussion, what should happen first?
Any suspected concussion should be treated seriously, with the player removed from play and assessed by a qualified health professional. Baseline data, if available, can then support that individualised assessment, but it does not replace timely medical review.
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.