Scientists and cyclists have put their heads together on a new concussion recognition app.

Concussions are a growing public health issue, but recognition of concussion symptoms by parents and officials is still poor.

Developed by world-leading concussion experts at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), in partnership with the AFL, the HeadCheck app helps individuals to recognise the symptoms of a suspected concussion and help measure its seriousness.

The app also provides support for parents during these stressful situations.

HeadCheck advises parents about whether and when they need to visit the hospital or their family doctor, guides parents on when it’s safe to send children back to school, training and racing and also records the patient’s symptoms when parents need to give a medical history.

“We know that for many families, jumping on their bikes during lockdown became a fantastic way of keeping active and strengthening family bonds. We encourage everyone to continue cycling and we’re happy to ‘ride-along’ in a parent’s pocket, just in case,” said the head of Clinical Sciences at MCRI, Professor Vicki Anderson.