(Photo courtesy of University of Arizona)

Arizona Wildcat linebacker Jason Sweet demonstrates the app.

Technology developed at the University of Arizona could help athletes and soldiers recognize concussion symptoms.

Called BrainGainz, the cellphone app was developed as part of an initiative between the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Defense. The UA team is one of four that will present its prototype to NCAA officials Friday in Indianapolis.

The app is compatible with iPhone and Android devices and uses a cardboard foldout headset. The smartphone is put inside the headset and the user sees himself playing football virtually in Arizona Stadium.

When the user runs the app and experiences a hard tackle, he has to decide whether to stay in the game or recover on the sidelines.

If the project wins the competition, it will be shared with hundreds of thousands of NCAA athletes across the country.

BrainGainz App

Click and drag the slider to see what the app user sees before and after a virtual tackle.