Module Summary

Signs and symptoms

There are a number of tell-tale signs that you may observe and symptoms that an athlete may report when they experience a concussion, so it’s important to know what to look out for.

Signs

You may notice the athlete...

• seems dazed or stunned
• forgets an instruction
• seems confused or unsure of the game, score, or opponent
• moves clumsily
• answers questions slowly
• loses consciousness (even briefly)
• shows mood, behaviour, or personality changes
• can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.

Symptoms

The athlete may report...

• a headache or “pressure” in the head
• nausea or vomiting
• balance problems, dizziness, double/blurry vision.
• being bothered by light or noise
• feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• confusion, concentration or memory problems
• “not feeling right” or “feeling down”.

Danger signs

Although the signs and symptoms mentioned previously are indicative of a concussion, if you observe any of the following in an athlete, you should call the emergency services immediately, as they are strongly linked to a more serious head injury and life threatening hematoma.

• One pupil larger than the other.
• Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
• A headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away.
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
• Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).
• Unusual behaviour, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
• Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out). Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.

What should I do if a concussion is suspected?

No matter if the player is a key member of the team at a vital moment in the competition or if the game is about to end, an athlete with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from play.

If you suspect a concussion, just follow these four simple steps:

Remove athlete from play

Look for the signs and symptoms of a concussion if your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head or body. When in doubt, sit them out!

Involve a health care professional

Don’t try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. A health care professional will use a number of methods to evaluate the condition of the athlete. You can help them by having some key information noted down in advance, such as the cause of the injury, if they have lost consciousness at any point and for how long, and if there was any memory loss experienced.

Inform the parents or guardians

Speak to the athlete’s parents or guardians to let them know about the possible concussion and give them an information sheet on how to monitor the athlete once they leave the session.

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Keep the athlete out of play

An athlete suspected of a concussion shouldn’t return to play until an appropriate health care professional says they are symptom-free and it’s OK for them to do so. Return to play is a medical decision.

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Return to Play protocol

Special Olympics recommends that coaches use the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Return to Play procotol. This advises that an athlete should only return to sports practices under the supervision of an appropriate health care professional. When available, be sure to work closely with your team’s certified athletic trainer.

Below are five gradual steps that you and the health care professional should follow to help safely return an athlete to play. Remember, this is a gradual process. These steps should not be completed in one day, but instead over days, weeks, or months. Athletes should only progress to the next level of exertion if they do not have any symptoms at the current step.

Click or tap each heading from the list below to find out more.