Partnership with Concussion Assessment Leader is the First of its Kind
PHILADELPHIA, April 9, 2015: Philly Roller Derby (PRD) announced their partnership with The Jefferson Comprehensive Concussion Center (JCCC), a joint effort between Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Rothman Institute, and Wills Eye Hospital. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the derby community. PRD is proud to be the principal league offering ImPACT® Baseline Testing to all skaters, including Philly Roller Derby Juniors and Officials.
JCCC describes ImPACT, or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, as a computerized concussion evaluation system that helps physicians determine treatment management and safe return-to-play decisions for injured athletes. If a patient suffers a head injury, ImPACT is repeated to evaluate changes in scores. While PRD has its own concussion-related best practices, offering ImPACT testing to all on-skates league members reinforces skater safety as a top priority.
When asked about the partnership, Liberty Belle All-Star Ginger Vitis said, “PRD skaters have had their share of concussions over the past 10 years and while we realize the risks we take in order to play this wonderful sport, PRD is 100% committed to protecting our members as much as possible.” By assessing each skater prior to contact using ImPACT Baseline Testing, Jefferson’s physicians will be able to use those baseline measures as a tool for comparing an athlete’s ImPACT pre-injury and post-injury scores. She continued, “This helps us to better understand the depth of injury and come up with a more comprehensive plan for recovery and return to play.”
PRD thanks the wonderful staff at Jefferson’s Comprehensive Concussion Center for their partnership and support. No matter what sport you play, never play with a concussion. It’s not worth it.
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Philly Roller Derby is the premiere flat-track roller derby league in Philadelphia dedicated to developing and promoting strength and athleticism in people of all ages through regular, intense training and high-level local, regional, national, and international roller derby competition. PRD is a skater-owned and operated roller derby league comprised of over 60 skaters, dozens of officials and volunteers, as well as countless fans and supporters and currently ranked 10th in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association comprised of over 300 teams worldwide.