Technology in health appears to be advancing each day. Apparently an easy test is all that is needed to judge whether athletes have sustained concussion and when they would be in good shape to play again. Concussion supposedly is also known as mild traumatic injury.

The scientists crafted an easy, reasonably priced gadget to gauge reaction time i.e. a cylinder connected to a weighted disk. The investigator supposedly releases the device and the athlete has to catch it as quick as possible.

Study author James T. Eckner, MD, of the University of Michigan Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Ann Arbor, commented, “Research has shown that reaction time is slower after a concussion—even as long as several days after other symptoms are gone. But the tests currently used to measure reaction time require computers and special software.”

This device was created by Ackner and his associates. The study authors provided the examination to 209 Division I college football, wrestling and women’s soccer athletes throughout their preseason physicals. Then any athlete who apparently had a concussion detected by a doctor during the season took the test once more within three days of the concussion.

Approximately eight athletes experienced concussions during the study. Of those, around 7 of the athletes appeared to have an extended reaction time following the concussion as opposed to the preseason time. Apparently, catching the thing seems to have taken roughly 15 percent longer.

Eckner concluded by mentioning that owing to its simplicity and low cost, this test may work well with youth athletes, where there is limited access to computerized testing of reaction time.

The study would be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto.