When people think about concussion baseline testing, junior sport usually comes to mind first—footy, netball or basketball players lining up before a season starts. But concussion risk doesn’t disappear at eighteen. Adults who play weekend sport, coach, referee, cycle, or work in physically demanding roles can experience a knock to the head too, and many have never had a baseline assessment done.
At The Seaside Osteo in McCrae, our osteopaths are trained through Complete Concussions (CCMI), and we’re often asked whether baseline testing is only worthwhile for kids. The short answer is no. Understanding how baseline testing works, and who it can support, is a useful step for any adult involved in sport or recreation across the Mornington Peninsula.
What Is Concussion Baseline Testing?
Baseline testing is a pre-injury assessment that records how a person normally performs across areas such as balance, memory, reaction time, and reported symptoms when they are healthy and uninjured. If a concussion is later suspected, clinicians can compare post-injury results against that individual’s own baseline, rather than relying only on general population averages. This individualised comparison can help inform, but does not replace, a broader clinical assessment.
You can read more about our approach to concussion assessment and management on the Mornington Peninsula, including how baseline data fits into the bigger picture of care.
Why Adults Are Often Overlooked
Concussion education and testing programs have historically focused on junior sport, largely because of the developing brain and the volume of junior participation in contact and collision sports. However, adults remain active participants in community sport across suburbs like Dromana, Rosebud and Rye—playing football (soccer), AFL, netball, cricket and basketball well into adulthood, as well as coaching, umpiring or training in these environments.
Adults may also face concussion risk outside of organised sport, including:
- Cycling or mountain biking on local trails
- Surfing or other beach and water activities along the coast
- Workplace incidents involving falls or impacts
- Motor vehicle or e-scooter accidents
- Recreational contact sport or martial arts
Because adults are less likely to have undergone formal baseline testing, clinicians may have less individualised data to draw on if an injury does occur.
How Baseline Data Can Support Adults After a Head Knock
Every adult brain has its own “normal” for things like memory recall, balance and processing speed. Some adults naturally score differently on standard concussion tests due to age, prior injuries, sleep patterns, or other individual factors—none of which necessarily indicate a problem. Without a baseline, it can be harder to distinguish what is normal for that person versus what may reflect the effects of a recent knock.
Having a documented baseline allows an osteopath trained in concussion management to compare like with like. This can support a more informed, individualised conversation about recovery and return-to-activity planning, in line with recognised frameworks such as the AFL concussion guidelines and the CCMI approach. It’s important to note that baseline testing does not prevent concussion or guarantee a particular recovery outcome—it is one tool among several used to support clinical decision-making.
Who Might Consider Baseline Testing as an Adult?
Baseline testing may be worth considering for adults who:
- Play community-level contact or collision sport regularly
- Coach, officiate or train in sports with head-knock risk
- Have had a previous concussion and want a documented reference point
- Work in roles with a higher likelihood of head impact
- Are involved in recreational activities like cycling, surfing or martial arts
Sporting clubs across the Mornington Peninsula may also find it useful to consider baseline testing for adult players and coaching staff, not just junior squads, as part of a broader approach to concussion awareness.
What This Means for Local Clubs and Individuals
Whether you’re an adult footy or netball player in McCrae, a cyclist training along the coast, or someone who works in a physically demanding job, understanding your own baseline can support better-informed conversations if a head knock happens down the track. It’s a proactive, educational step—not a guarantee against injury or a substitute for medical assessment following a suspected concussion.
If you’d like to learn more about how baseline testing works or want to understand concussion recognition and management in more depth, our free concussion workshop is a good starting point for players, parents, coaches and club staff of all ages. For ongoing musculoskeletal support alongside concussion care, our team also offers osteopathy services to help with broader recovery needs.
Getting Started With Baseline Testing
Concussion baseline testing on the Mornington Peninsula is available for adults as well as junior athletes. If you’re unsure whether it’s relevant to your situation, our CCMI-trained osteopaths can talk you through the process, what’s involved, and how it may support your overall approach to head injury awareness and management.
Frequently asked questions
Is concussion baseline testing only for junior athletes?
No. While much concussion education focuses on junior sport, adults who play community sport, coach, cycle, or work in physically demanding roles can also benefit from having a documented baseline for comparison.
How often should adults update their baseline test?
This depends on individual circumstances and is best discussed with a clinician trained in concussion management, as factors like new injuries or significant time gaps may affect how useful an older baseline is.
Does baseline testing prevent concussion?
No. Baseline testing does not prevent concussion or guarantee a particular outcome if one occurs. It is an educational tool that provides a personal reference point to help support informed clinical decisions after a suspected head injury.
What does a baseline test actually involve?
A baseline assessment typically looks at areas such as balance, memory, reaction time and symptom reporting while a person is healthy, so results can later be compared against their own normal rather than general averages alone.
Can adults without a baseline still be assessed after a concussion?
Yes, a suspected concussion should always be assessed by a suitably trained clinician regardless of whether a baseline exists. A baseline simply adds another layer of individualised information to support that assessment.
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.