Concussion: The road to recovery

Following a suspected concussion, players must be:

• Removed from the field of play. • Monitored by a responsible adult. • Examined by a medical doctor, as soon as possible. • Have their symptoms, brain function and balance return to normal. • Given clearance by a medical doctor before returning to any forms of learning, exercise or rugby related activities. • Undergo age-appropriate Graduated Return to Play protocol. • Be cleared by a medical doctor to return to full contact sport.

Graduated return to play

This protocol to be followed in allowing concussed players to return to full contact matches: • Stage 1: Physical rest until no symptoms remain. (for players 18 or younger this must be a at least two weeks, or one week for all other players). • Stage 2: Light aerobic exercise for 10-15 minutes – player must be symptom free. • Stage 3: More sport-specific exercise and increased intensity (running or rugby-specific drills but no potential head-impact activities). • Stage 4: More complex training where passing can be included • Stage 5: Normal training activities such as full contact practice, (before this it is critical a player is cleared by a medical doctor and is completely symptom free). • Stage 6. Return to full match play. A player can only progress to the next stage if they are completely symptom free for a minimum period of 24-hours for each stage.