SS poris 8 THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 2015 A simple blood test may show concussions Researchers in the United States have found that testing for specific protein can accurately diagnose head trauma EDITOR JAMES SMITH By SERENA PATTAR Ihe standard way of testing for concussion symptoms may soon be obsolete. A recent study by Dr. Linda Papa and her team at Orlando Health found that testing blood for a specific protein released when the brain is in- jured resulted in a 94 per cent success rate diagnosing concussions in chil- dren before symptoms show. A 2012 study Papa also worked on showed similar results when testing adults. In an Orlando Health press release, Papa said the test “could ultimately change the way we diagnose concus- sions, not only in children, but in any- one who sustains a head injury.” Re- searchers hope the test will be commercially available within the next five years. Sewak Sanghera, a 17 year-old play- er with the United Brothers Field Hock- ey Club in South Vancouver, has expe- rienced concussions in the past. He said a test like Papa’s might have helped him to get back to playing soon- er by avoiding further injury. “T didn’t Know I had them [concus- sions] right away, so I kept doing every- thing normally,” said Sanghera. “Look- ing back, that probably wasn’t the best thing.” According to the website for Para- chute, a Canadian injury prevention organization, concussions are “invisi- ble injuries” due to their delayed or misunderstood effects, and the fact that symptoms do not always show up in medical imaging tests. Carly Scarr, department assistant of athletics and intramurals at Langara College said concussions don’t happen often in the sports the school offers, but it’s a major concern when they do. Scarr said student-athletes suspect- ed of having concussions are removed from play and can’t return until cleared by their personal doctor. “Basically we would put our trust in the student-athlete’s doctors,” said Searr. “So if they deemed a test like that would be beneficial, then we would do it.” SERENA PATTAR photo Surjan Sandhu of the United Brothers Field Hockey Club manoeuvres around an opponent dur- ing a recent tournament in Surrey. His teammate Sewak Sanghera has suffered several concus- sions from playing the sport. Falcons lose two In a row | Inf t positives leads t 1 1 q p 1 Women’s basketball team no match for older, more experienced squads | | mM ited 0) | lege do pe te Sti ng By MURRAY B. HUNT “They are young, getting to know each other and they work hard,” Soe- r4 4 ; 49 ; ; fF Ihe Langara Falcons women’s bas- gard said. “I believe they should Collegiate Sp ort authorities say dop ing not a significant Teen team had a squeeze more, pass more and they The team issue at their level, cannabis more common than steroids rough weekend, stand still a lot.” losing games to Evans pegged Kimin Brar as the average By BEN BENGTSON ing is not a huge issue at Langara or in both the Capilano team’s most valuable player of the was 42.4 PACWEST. She said the Canadian Cen- University Blues night after she put up 12 points er cent ollowing a recent report by the tre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) conducts and the Douglas and six rebounds. Rachel Beau- p . World Anti-Doping Agency alleg- random testing, but that Langara ath- College Royals. champ from the Royals led all in the first ing systematic doping in Russian letes had not been tested in “the last On Nov. 18, the players with 14 points. ha if and athletics, the body that regulates col- couple of years.” visiting Falcons fell In their game against lege sports in British Columbia says Scarr said the to the Blues 66-37, the Blues, Jilliane Vina 14.8 per doping isn’t a significant issue for | CCES mandates and a day later lost led the Falcons in cent in the them. Langara stu- to the Royals 61-42, scoring with nine Bruce Hunter, president of the Pacif- dent-athletes at- bringing their record points, while the second ic Western Athletic Association (PAC- tend a seminar for the season to 2-3 Blues’ Carmel half. WEST), said he’d seen “very few” in- at the beginning and dropping them into M’Bikata led all , stances of student-athletes testing of each season to a tie for third place. The players with 15 The better positively for performance enhancers _—_ educate them on Blues and Royals, mean- points and 15 re- team won in his 15 years on the job. banned sub- while, are in a three-way tie bounds. “If you go by the results of the test- | stances, such as — CARLY SCARR for first with the Vancouver The Falcons ing, it’s not a widespread issue,” said steroids, hor- = Langara College Island University Mariners, play again next Hunter. “There are very few people | mones and rec- athletics dept. who all have a record of 4-1. weekend, — tak- MIKE EVANS ‘caught’, if you want to call it that, reational drugs. The Falcons’ game against ing on the Mar- LANGARA FAL- through the random testing or through Scarr said the r4 4 the Royals started well. Lan- iners in Nanai- CONS WOMENS | the in-competition testing.” penalties for gara led after the first quarter mo on Friday, BASKETBALL Hunter said collegiate student-ath- _ positive tests de- ’ and were tied at halftime. How- Nov. 20 and the TEAM HEAD | Jetes are rarely tested for doping be- _ pend on the sub- I don't ever, the team lost momentum in Camosun Col- COACH | cause it is not a big enough issue to stance used. For think our early in the second half and never a” lege Chargers warrant more frequent testing. example, canna- tudent recovered. in Victoria on In a follow-up email response, Hunt- bis use can re- stuaent- Falcons head coach Mike Evans Saturday, Nov. er said this year, for example, there sult in a one- athletes called it a game of “different halves,” 21. would only be a “minimum of 50 tests mont ih h b adding the team lost confidence after MURRAY B. HUNT photo | done across the country.” suspension, ave veen missing five shots. Falcons guard Carly Sangha in Sandra Murray-MacDonell, execu- whereas. steroid tested in “The team goal shot average was Saturday’s game against the tive director of the Canadian Collegiate or hormone use the last 42.5 per cent in the first half and only Douglas College Royals. Athletic Association (CCAA), said via can result in sus- 14.8 per cent in the second half,” said email that the majority of positive tests pensions lasting couple of Evans. “The better team won.” have “mainly been for cannabis” use. up to two sea- years Jorn Soegard was at the Douglas & Falcons’ Tall She also said in the past five seasons _ sons. College game to cheer on his daughter y the CCAA has seen no positive tests for Emily Row- Jaylene, who made two free throws for WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL doping. landson, a_bas- the Falcons. He said the team is doing W-D-L W-D-L Carly Scarr, department assistant of ketball player for the Langara Falcons well considering most of the players 2-0-3 4-0-1 athletics and intramurals at Langara the past three seasons, said she’s not are first-year students. Ranked: 3 (tied) Ranked: 2 College, said as far as she’s aware dop- aware of doping in Langara sports.