As winter and summer sporting seasons roll around on the Mornington Peninsula, many clubs and parents start thinking about pre-season fitness, strapping, and mouthguards. One thing that often gets overlooked is baseline concussion testing — a simple assessment done before any injury occurs, so that if a knock to the head happens during the season, there is something meaningful to compare against.
Getting the timing right matters. Baseline testing is only useful if it reflects an athlete in their normal, healthy state — not fatigued, unwell, or rushed through in the final days before round one. This article looks at when junior sports players and young athletes should ideally be tested, and why timing is such an important part of the process.
What is baseline testing, in brief
Baseline testing involves a series of standardised checks — balance, memory, concentration, symptom reporting and sometimes visual tracking — completed while an athlete is well and not experiencing any symptoms. If that athlete is later suspected of having a concussion, a clinician trained in concussion management can compare a post-injury assessment against this individual baseline, rather than relying only on generic population averages. This supports a more informed, individualised approach to concussion assessment rather than replacing clinical judgement.
Why timing before the season matters
The value of a baseline test depends heavily on the athlete being in a representative state when it is taken. A few timing principles are worth understanding:
- Testing should happen when the athlete is symptom-free, well-rested and not recovering from illness, poor sleep, or a recent minor knock.
- It should be done early enough in pre-season that results aren’t skewed by pre-season training fatigue or dehydration.
- It should be close enough to the start of competition that the baseline still reflects the athlete’s current age, development stage and fitness level.
- Avoid testing on the same day as heavy training sessions, trials, or after a late night — all of these can affect balance and cognitive test results.
Because balance, reaction time and cognitive processing all change as children and teenagers grow, a baseline from several years ago is unlikely to be a fair comparison point. This is why many concussion frameworks, including Complete Concussions (CCMI), recommend baseline testing be refreshed regularly rather than treated as a one-off, lifetime record.
How often should baseline testing be repeated
General guidance from concussion management frameworks suggests baseline testing is most useful when it is age-appropriate and reasonably recent. As a general principle:
- Younger, still-developing athletes may benefit from more frequent baseline updates, as their balance and cognitive skills change quickly year to year.
- Older adolescents and adults may be able to space testing out further, provided there have been no significant head injuries or major changes in health status in between.
- Any athlete who has had a concussion since their last baseline should ideally have a new baseline established once they are fully recovered and cleared, as a prior head injury can influence results.
These are general principles rather than a strict formula — an osteopath trained in concussion management can advise on an appropriate schedule for a specific athlete or club.
The best window: pre-season, not mid-season
The ideal time for baseline testing is in the weeks leading into pre-season training, before contact drills, trial matches or the first competitive rounds begin. Testing at this point means:
- The athlete is less likely to have picked up an undisclosed knock during a game that could affect results.
- Clubs can build testing into existing pre-season medical checks, fitness testing days or registration processes.
- There is a clear record in place before the higher-risk period of contact and collision sport begins.
Local clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye that play AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball or cricket often find it easiest to coordinate baseline testing as a group activity during pre-season, rather than trying to organise it individually once the season is underway.
What this means for clubs and parents on the Mornington Peninsula
Because concussion can happen in any contact or collision sport, and because young athletes are still developing, having a considered approach to baseline testing is a useful part of a club’s broader injury management planning. It does not prevent concussion from occurring, and it is not a pass or fail test — it is simply a reference point that supports clinicians in making more informed decisions if an injury is suspected later in the season.
For families and clubs wanting to understand more about how this fits into a broader return-to-play framework, our concussion testing services on the Mornington Peninsula are delivered by osteopaths trained through the Complete Concussions (CCMI) program, alongside general osteopathy care for the local community.
Getting started before the season kicks off
If your club, school or family is planning ahead for the upcoming season, the pre-season period is the right time to start the conversation about baseline testing. Waiting until after an injury has occurred means the opportunity for a true baseline has already passed. Clubs interested in learning more about concussion recognition and management for their coaches and players may also find it useful to attend our free concussion workshop, which covers recognition, response and the role of testing in a season-long injury management plan.
Frequently asked questions
How long before the season should baseline testing be done?
Ideally in the weeks leading into pre-season, once training has settled into a normal rhythm but before contact drills or trial matches begin. This gives a representative result before the higher-risk competitive period starts.
Does baseline testing need to be repeated every year?
Younger, still-developing athletes generally benefit from more frequent updates since balance and cognitive skills change quickly with age. An osteopath trained in concussion management can advise on a suitable schedule for a specific athlete.
Can baseline testing be done if an athlete has had a concussion before?
Yes, though it’s generally recommended to wait until the athlete has fully recovered and been cleared from any prior head injury, as recent concussion history can influence test results.
Does a baseline test prevent concussion from happening?
No. Baseline testing does not prevent concussion or guarantee a particular outcome if a head injury occurs. It provides a personal reference point that can support a clinician’s assessment and inform return-to-play decisions.
Which sports on the Mornington Peninsula should consider baseline testing?
Any contact or collision sport carries some risk of head injury, including AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball and cricket. Clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye often coordinate pre-season baseline testing as a group activity.
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.