INDIANAPOLIS -- Friday marks the start of the high school football season and a new strategy to tackle concussions among young athletes.

A growing number of schools are using Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, or IMPact, to ensure players who suffer from brain injuries get the care they need before getting back into the game, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.

National studies show one in four student athletes suffers significant post-concussion symptoms, including loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, and that 25 percent return to the field too soon, putting them at risk for brain damage and even death.

With the program, all athletes must go through a baseline computer program during preseason, and then again after a concussion before they can get back on the field.

"This will give us objective information. They can't really lie. They can't really cheat on this test," said Dr. Joel Kary with St. Vincent Sports Performance who also serves as a team physician with Lawrence North High School

A series of memory tests will be used to determine if the brain has fully recovered.

"Their score must return to baseline or above and we're taking them through a fundamental course of exercises and make sure they can handle those sports activities again," Kary said. "Then we know we can safely return them to their sport."

Athletes can only return to the game after a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine clears them in writing.

"We're trying to take care of these kids who can get permanent problems due to head injuries," Kary said.

In addition to football players, the IMPact screening is given to students who play basketball, soccer and volleyball as well.