Baseline concussion testing has become a familiar part of pre-season preparation for many junior sports clubs across the Mornington Peninsula. Parents and coaches in McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye increasingly ask their osteopath or allied health provider to record a baseline before the football, netball, basketball or cricket season begins. But a baseline test is not a one-off exercise — it is a snapshot that can become outdated as a young athlete grows, matures and changes.
A question we hear often is simply: how frequently should this testing be repeated? The honest answer is that there is no single number that suits everyone. Recognised frameworks, including those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI) and general guidance referenced in AFL concussion resources, point to a few key factors that determine how often baseline testing should be refreshed. This article walks through those factors so families and clubs can make informed decisions.
Why Baseline Tests Don’t Last Forever
A baseline test captures a person’s normal function at a single point in time — things like balance, memory, concentration and reported symptoms. For adults, this baseline tends to stay reasonably stable for a longer period. For children and adolescents, however, the brain and body are developing rapidly. Cognitive processing speed, balance control and symptom reporting can all shift meaningfully within a single year of growth. This is one reason concussion testing for junior athletes is generally treated differently to testing for adult or masters-level competitors.
General Guidance on Retesting Intervals
While individual circumstances vary, commonly referenced intervals include:
- Annually for school-aged and adolescent athletes — because growth, puberty and cognitive development can alter baseline scores from one season to the next.
- Every one to two years for older adolescents and young adults — once growth has largely stabilised, baselines may remain valid for a slightly longer window.
- After any significant developmental change — a growth spurt, a new learning diagnosis, or a change in medication can all be reasons to consider an updated baseline regardless of when the last one was taken.
- Following a previous concussion — once an athlete has returned to sport after a concussion, an updated baseline is often recommended before the next season so future comparisons reflect their current recovered state.
These intervals are general guidance rather than strict rules. An osteopath trained in concussion management can help a family work out what makes sense for their particular sport, age group and history.
Sport, Age and Exposure Matter
Contact and collision sports popular across the Peninsula — including AFL, netball, football (soccer) and basketball — carry differing levels of head knock exposure depending on position, level and age group. Junior sports players engaged in higher-contact activities, or those playing multiple seasons across winter and summer codes, may benefit from more frequent baseline checks simply because they have more opportunities for head knocks between tests. Cricket, while lower-contact overall, still carries some risk from ball impacts, and clubs with fast bowlers or wicketkeepers sometimes choose to include baseline testing as part of general athlete welfare planning.
Signs a New Baseline Might Be Needed Sooner
Outside of a fixed annual schedule, there are situations where bringing a baseline test forward is worth considering:
- The athlete has had a noticeable growth spurt since their last test
- They have started a new season, club, or moved up an age group
- There has been a diagnosed change in learning, attention or mental health that could affect cognitive testing results
- A prior concussion has fully resolved and the athlete is preparing to return to a new season
None of these situations mean an athlete cannot play — they simply flag that an updated reference point may make future comparisons more meaningful if a head knock does occur.
How This Fits Into a Broader Concussion Management Plan
Baseline testing is one piece of a larger picture that includes education, on-field recognition, and a structured graduated return-to-play process. It is not a pass/fail test and does not predict whether a concussion will happen, nor does it guarantee a safe return to play on its own — it is a tool that supports clinicians and families in making more informed decisions if an injury occurs. Our osteopaths at The Seaside Osteo in McCrae are trained through the Complete Concussions (CCMI) framework and offer concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula as part of a wider approach to athlete care, alongside general osteopathy services for the local community.
Practical Steps for Local Clubs and Families
For clubs and families across Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and surrounding suburbs, a practical approach is to build baseline testing into the regular pre-season routine, note any developmental changes across the year, and treat retesting as a normal part of athlete welfare rather than a one-off box to tick. Clubs that want to understand the process in more depth are welcome to explore our free concussion workshop, which covers recognition, baseline testing and return-to-play principles for coaches, parents and players.
If you are unsure whether your child’s baseline test is still current, it is always worth having a conversation with a trained clinician rather than guessing based on how long ago the original test was taken.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a junior athlete’s concussion baseline test be repeated?
Many frameworks suggest annually for school-aged and adolescent athletes, since growth and development can change baseline results from season to season. Older adolescents whose growth has stabilised may need retesting slightly less often, such as every one to two years.
Does a baseline test expire after a set amount of time?
There isn’t a strict expiry date, but baselines can become less accurate as a young athlete grows, matures, or experiences changes in learning or health. A trained clinician can help decide if it’s time for an update based on the individual, not just the calendar.
Should a new baseline be done after a concussion?
Yes, it’s commonly recommended to update a baseline once an athlete has fully recovered from a concussion, ideally before their next season begins. This gives a more accurate reference point for any future comparisons.
Is baseline testing only needed for high-contact sports like AFL?
No. While higher-contact sports such as AFL, netball, football and basketball are often discussed, any junior sports player with head knock exposure, including in cricket, may benefit from baseline testing as part of general athlete welfare planning.
Can baseline testing predict or prevent a concussion?
No. Baseline testing does not predict or prevent concussion and does not guarantee a safe return to play. It provides a reference point that can support clinicians in making more informed decisions if a head injury does occur.
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.