Athletic trainers across the country  report that about a fourth of high school athletes suffered a concussion last year. One area school district is taking action to dramatically reduce head injuries.

 

Juniors at Westmont  Hilltop High School in the Johnstown area are doing some MASSf training.  During the 15 minute workout they focus on  mobility, agility  stability, strength and flexibility.

 

Mitch Causer,  a member of the Hilltoppers football team,  says the  exercises have helped him kick better, and run faster. But that’s not why Westmont teamed up with Conemaugh Health System.

 

Conemaugh Trauma Center Medical Director Dr.  Russell Dumire and Coordinator Thomas Causer helped create the Strong Minded Program Committee.

 

Their first step, research into the cause of concussions,  Causer found it’s not the hit on the field, it’s the body’s reaction to it, whiplash. 

 

Causer says adding a helmet protects the skull, but not the brain. Exercises that strengthen the core, the neck, and the balance,  and improve mobility and agility do that.

 

Schools’ Athletic Trainer  Kosie Shepherd created the MASSf program and closely follows the football, soccer and volleyball players who’ve used it for the past couple of seasons.

 

She says, “for soccer, for instance,  they were getting to the ball quicker.  When they did get knocked off balance, they were able to catch themselves before they actually hit the ground to hit their head.”

 

In the past 2 years, since the program was implemented, Westmont athletes have suffered only four concussions in football, boys and girls soccer,  and volleyball combined.  

 

That’s a record all members of the strong minded team are proud of.   They’re looking forward to sharing their training program with  schools in the region and across the country.