San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland announced Monday he is quitting the NFL because of concerns about the long-term effects of head trauma. It's the latest example of why many are looking to get better information about head injuries in sports.
A new study takes a more objective approach to identifying concussions.
Currently, the sideline method for determining if an athlete has a concussion relies partially on a series of questions interpreted by a doctor. But a new study from New York University's Langone Medical Center involves tracking eye movements during a three-minute music video to look for problems.
Dr. Steven Erickson of Arizona's Banner Concussion Center says gathering this kind of data is key.
"It's really good information because it provides more evidence and encourages providers to address these issues," he said.
Erickson said using more concrete methods like this one will improve testing by making it easier to document and reproduce. Researchers are still working on fine-tuning the technology.