HEADCHECK Health

03/06/2026

For school sports teams, concussion management is a team effort. Athletic trainers, physicians, coaches, administrators, and families all play a critical role in protecting student-athletes.

As Dr. James Stavitz of Kean University emphasizes, effective concussion care goes far beyond the field. It requires timely referrals, clearly enforced return-to-play protocols, open communication, and shared accountability.

03/04/2026

New advancements in concussion care! 🧠 A global team of clinicians, researchers, and Para athletes has been working to launch the Para SCAT6-WC — an adapted concussion assessment tool for wheelchair-using athletes. Standard tests like balance and coordination often aren't feasible for wheelchair users, so this initiative redesigns evaluation to reflect different functional abilities.

At a 2025 summit, experts modified key test components and embedded clinician guidance for real-world use. Drafts are now in expert review, with clinical testing coming next.

Without adapted tools, Para athletes risk inequitable care despite facing similar concussion risks. Next steps include athlete panel validation in 2026 and real-world testing.

This is a major step toward more inclusive, evidence-based concussion care!

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02/27/2026

🧠 Concussions can be scary and confusing. Have you ever had one? What symptoms surprised you the most? How long did it take you to recover?

Drop your experience below if you’re open to sharing! 👇

02/24/2026

Do men and women recover differently from concussions? 🤔

A recent review (Arachchi, Shanika et al, 2026) analyzing 41 studies found consistent evidence that women often report stronger symptoms and longer recovery times after mild traumatic brain injury than their male counterparts. Brain imaging findings also suggest biological differences in how injuries affect male vs. female brains. Researchers highlight the need for more personalized, sex-specific approaches to concussion care and recovery.

Read the full review: https://na3.hubs.ly/y0l2cr0

02/20/2026

🏉 As rugby continues to grow globally, concussion reporting remains a critical challenge.

New research highlights alarming rates of unrecognized and unreported concussions, particularly in community rugby where medical support is often limited.

In our latest blog post, Dr. Jennifer Hunnicutt dives into the research and explains why improving reporting systems and team culture may be the key to protecting player health.

Read now ➡️ https://na3.hubs.ly/y0kghH0 ‎

Rugby has become increasingly popular. But with this rise in interest, athletes and stakeholders must be aware of the high risks of concussion in the sport.

02/18/2026

"We have people come back to us and say, 'I need to submit an insurance form.' Well, now we can get that for them. Whereas before, we had no way of tracking all those forms and making sure they were filled out."

We recently welcomed Kiara Jefferies, President of North Bay Junior Lakers Hockey, to our podcast, where she shared insights from her role as a minor hockey president and explained how implementing HEADCHECK has been a game-changer for her organization.

02/13/2026

Managing Return to Play doesn’t have to be complicated.

With HEADCHECK, Test Reminders keep athlete recovery organized with automated email or text notifications, so no check-in is missed.

Send updates instantly or schedule long-term monitoring, all with real-time symptom reporting and a clear visual of progress through the new Symptom Severity Scores chart.

Stay proactive, spot changes early, and keep athletes on track, wherever they are!

02/10/2026

Good news from the slopes! 🎿🏂 Even as skiing and snowboarding continue to grow in popularity, injury rates have dropped by more than 50 percent over the past decade. Advances in equipment, improved slope maintenance and grooming, and greater safety awareness are responsible for helping skiers and riders stay safer than ever.

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Learn essential tips to prevent skiing and snowboarding injuries, protect against common winter sports risks, and stay safe on the slopes this season.

02/06/2026

The HEADCHECK team is wishing all athletes a safe, healthy, and successful Olympic Games. We’re cheering you on every step of the way! 🥇🥈🥉

02/05/2026

🎙️NEW PODCAST EPISODE🎙️On the latest episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, we’re joined by Kiara Jefferies, President of North Bay Junior Lakers Hockey.

Kiara discusses minor hockey leadership, putting player safety first, and building a strong, respectful culture. She also touches on day-to-day operations, volunteer burnout, tough board decisions, and balancing long-term vision with immediate challenges.

Listen now ➡️ https://na3.hubs.ly/y0hqWf0

02/02/2026

Concussions don’t just affect the body—they can also take a serious toll on an athlete’s mental health. Psychotherapist and former OHL player Ben Fanelli joined our podcast this past fall to unpack the hidden emotional impact of injuries and how they can challenge an athlete’s sense of identity.

01/29/2026

Do scare tactics actually help in concussion education? 🤔
On the latest episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, we break down the research and explore why clear, balanced messaging may be more effective than fear-based approaches when it comes to understanding and responding to head injuries.

Listen now ➡️ https://na3.hubs.ly/y0h1hn0