One of the greatest concerns in health circles today is of course the prevalence of concussions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there has been an over 200% increase in concussions reported in youngsters aged between 14 and 19 years. It is no wonder that concussions prevention and management thus remains a great topic of debate. Luckily, you can use concussion screening apps to ensure safety of your athletes.

There are iPhone and Android Smartphone concussion safety apps that can help you stay on the safe. Nevertheless, you need to appreciate these apps don’t replace the advice of your doctor. Here are the top 4 apps you need to evaluate:

  1. Concussion Assessment & Response app – This is free on Android and goes for $0.99 on iTunes. It was developed by Dr. Gerard Gioia, a renowned pediatric neuropsychologist. It is perfect for parents and coaches. It lists multiple symptoms and you just have to give a response to get a quick preliminary report. It instantly tells you if a concussion is suspected and provides you with emergency tips.
  2. Play It Safe – This is a free app available for iPhone, iPod and iPad, which is perfect for athletic coaches and trainers. It gives you a comprehensive questionnaire to determine whether there is a concussion. It features built-in timers to test balance and cognitive function. The preliminary report can instantly be sent to a doctor.
  3. SCAT 2 – This concussion safety app goes for $3.99 and is available for iPod, iPhone and iPad. It is useful for medical professionals to help in pre-season testing and evaluation. It provides an individualized assessment report which can be emailed to other health practitioners.
  4. Concussion – This is a free iPhone, iPad and iPod app developed by Sports Safety Labs LLC. It features signs and symptoms of concussions, quick access to 911 and a map to the nearest hospital. With a $4.99 in-app purchase, you can access a baseline and post-injury evaluation report with a score given at the end. It helps in quick rescue by providing the location of the injured athlete. It is ideal for coaches and sports health personnel. It also enables communication between a physician and the coaches.

Concussion screeners are integral in guaranteeing safety of athletes. Make sure you are up to date with the latest concussion app before your next training session.