Athletic Handbook 24-25 | Page 18

It is impossible to accurately predict how long an individual ’ s concussion will last . There must be full recovery before a student-athlete is allowed to resume participating in athletic activity . Connecticut law now requires that no athlete may resume participation until that athlete has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care professional ( physician , physician assistant , advanced practice registered nurse ( APRN ), athletic trainer ) trained in the evaluation and management of concussions .

Concussion Management Requirements : 1 . No athlete shall return to participation in the athletic activity on the same day of a head injury or concussion . 2 . If there is any loss of consciousness , vomiting , or seizures , the athlete MUST be transported immediately to the hospital .

3 . The athlete should not be left alone after the injury . Close observation and monitoring of an athlete MUST continue following a concussion or head injury to ensure that there is no worsening / escalation of symptoms .

4 . Any athlete with signs or symptoms related to a concussion MUST be evaluated by a licensed health care professional ( physician , physician assistant , advanced practice registered nurse ( APRN ), athletic trainer ) trained in the evaluation and management of concussions .

5 . The athlete MUST obtain an initial written clearance from one of the licensed health care professionals identified above directing the athlete into a well-defined RTP stepped protocol similar to the one outlined below . If at any time signs or symptoms return during the RTP progression , the athlete should cease activity .

6 . After the RTP protocol has been successfully administered ( no longer exhibits any signs or symptoms or behaviors consistent with concussions ), final written medical clearance is required by one of the licensed healthcare professionals identified above for the athlete to fully return to unrestricted participation in practices and competitions .

Medical Clearance RTP protocol ( There should be at least 24 hours for each step of the progression ) Stage

Rehabilitation steps / Aim

Functional exercise at each step of rehabilitation / Activity

Goal of each step

0 It is recommended that an initial period of 24 – 48 hours of both relative physical rest and cognitive rest is achieved before beginning the RTP progression identified in Stages one through six below ( McCrory , P . et al ., 2017 ). If at any time signs or symptoms should worsen during the RTP progression , the athlete should stop activity that day . If the symptoms are gone the next day , the athlete may resume the RTP progression at the last step completed in which no symptoms were present . If symptoms persist , the athlete should be referred to a healthcare professional who is an expert in the management of concussions .

3 Sport-specific exercise . No contact

Jogging , brief running or skating drills ; No head impact activities

Gradual reintroduction of work / school activities Increase heart rate

Add movement

Exercise , coordination and increased thinking / concentration

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