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Information for Student-Athletes

A student-athlete who suffers a concussion must properly manage the injury in order to get back on the playing field as soon as possible.

When can concussed athletes return to play?

A student-athlete should not resume any physical activities, including gym, exercise, practices or games, as long as symptoms persist. If you experience any symptoms at all, during rest or physical activity, you are not well enough to return to play.  Physical exertion should be increased gradually. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends following a step-by-step exertion protocol. They suggest you should not move onto the next level until you are completely free of symptoms at the current level of activity. 

Step 1: Rest - no activity

Step 2: Light aerobic exercise - walking and stationary cycling

Step 3: Sport-specific training - running, skating and weightlifting

Step 4: Non-contact drills - includes lateral movements

Step 5: Full-contact training - requires medical clearance

Step 6: Game play - return to game activities

How can concussed athletes recover more quickly?

• Be honest - Accurately report the persistence of any symptoms to your doctor, parents and coaches. Do not dismiss or hide symptoms in an effort to return to play sooner because your symptoms will simply get worse.  No one knows better than you whether you are still feeling symptoms, so it is up to you to take responsibility for your recovery.
  
  
• Rest - A concussed brain needs time to heal. Stop physical (e.g. sports, exercise) and mental (e.g. schoolwork, reading) activities until your symptoms disappear. If you return to play without having given your brain time to recover, you put yourself at risk to suffer another concussion. Research shows the effects of multiple concussions are cumulative, meaning the second concussion can cause severe, or even permanent, brain injury.

Learn more about the CDC recommendations.