Concussions in youth sports are a growing concern, and proper concussion protocols and care are crucial to protect young athletes. From football and soccer to cheerleading and hockey, the risk of concussions is present across various sports. Understanding the protocols for managing concussions and ensuring proper recovery before returning to play is essential for coaches, parents, and players. Below is an overview of standard concussion protocols and the steps necessary to ensure that a youth athlete is safely cleared by a physician or healthcare provider.
Recognizing a Concussion
The first step in concussion care is recognizing the symptoms. Concussions occur when a blow to the head or body causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to brain function disruption. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over time and can include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty concentrating. If a player exhibits any of these symptoms following an impact, they should be immediately removed from play to prevent further injury.
Initial Concussion Protocols
Once a concussion is suspected, the athlete should not return to play the same day. Immediate evaluation by a trained healthcare professional is necessary. The CDC advocates for removing any athlete with suspected head trauma from the game or practice until assessed by a healthcare provider. The initial assessment will likely include a physical examination, a review of symptoms, and cognitive tests to assess the player’s mental clarity and balance.
Rest and Recovery Period
After diagnosis, a concussion requires a rest period that includes physical and cognitive rest. This phase means limiting activities that can strain the brain, such as screen time, reading, and intense focus. Physical rest is equally important, and the athlete should avoid any activities that could risk a second head injury. Studies suggest that light, supervised aerobic activities can begin a few days after symptoms improve, but only under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Complete symptom resolution is crucial before starting any physical exertion to prevent re-injury.
Gradual Return-to-Play (RTP) Protocol
Returning to sports too soon can result in serious health risks, including Second Impact Syndrome, which can lead to severe brain injury or even death. Therefore, a gradual Return-to-Play (RTP) protocol, often recommended by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, should be followed. The RTP protocol generally consists of a stepwise increase in physical activity, with each step lasting at least 24 hours:
- Symptom-free rest – Complete physical and cognitive rest until symptoms resolve.
- Light aerobic exercise – Light activities like walking or stationary biking to increase the heart rate without causing symptoms.
- Sport-specific exercise – Gradually reintroducing sports-related movement but avoiding head impact.
- Non-contact training drills – Adding more complex drills to test coordination and skills.
- Full-contact practice – Following medical clearance, the athlete can resume normal training activities.
- Return to competition – Full return to play.
If symptoms recur at any stage, the athlete should stop and wait until they are symptom-free before trying the step again. Moving to the next step only occurs once the previous step is completed without any symptoms.
Physician or Healthcare Provider Clearance
Before a youth athlete can return to full play, clearance from a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physician, physician associate, athletic trainer, or neurologist, is required. This evaluation involves reviewing the athlete’s recovery progress and ensuring they meet all return-to-play requirements. Providers often use assessments like the SCAT5 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) to measure cognitive and physical recovery.
Final Thoughts on Concussion Care
Following proper concussion protocols and care can prevent long-term complications for young athletes. Through proper recognition, rest, a gradual RTP process, and clearance from a healthcare provider, youth athletes can safely return to their sports, reducing the risk of recurrent or more serious injuries. These protocols ensure that young athletes can enjoy sports safely and with the necessary precautions to protect their developing brains. Providers at Advanced Urgent Care can evaluate youth athletes after a head injury and clear them for a return-to-sport when they are ready.