Concussion Protocol
Recognition and diagnosis of concussion.
-
All student-athletes who are experiencing signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a sport-related concussion, at rest or with exertion, must be removed from practice or competition and referred to an athletic trainer or team physician before being cleared to return.
-
The initial management of sport-related concussion is relative physical and cognitive rest. Athletes diagnosed with sport-related concussion must be removed from play and must not return to sport-related activity for at least one calendar day and are to be evaluated by a health care provider with expertise in sport-related concussion.
-
Once a concussed student-athlete has returned to baseline level of symptoms, cognitive function and balance, then the return-to-play progression can be initiated, as follows in this general outline:
-
Light aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or riding a stationary bike. No resistance training.
-
-
If asymptomatic with light aerobic exercise, then;Sport-specific activity with no head impact.
-
If asymptomatic with sport-specific activity, then;Non-contact sport drills and resumption of progressive resistance training.
-
If asymptomatic with non-contact drills and resistance training, then; Unrestricted training.
-
-
If asymptomatic with unrestricted training, then;Return-to-competition. Medical clearance will be determined by the team physician/physician designee, or athletic trainer in consultation with a team physician.