A concussion can affect an athlete’s ability to safely participate in sports and other physical activities. Returning to sports too soon can increase the risk of another injury while the brain is still recovering.
Return to play is a gradual process that allows physical activity to be introduced in stages as symptoms improve. Athletes should receive medical clearance before beginning the return-to-play progression and should only advance when they are ready.
School participation is an important part of concussion recovery. Some students may need temporary adjustments to their academic workload or environment while symptoms improve. Students can gradually resume normal school activities as their symptoms allow.
The return to sports should progress alongside recovery for school and daily activities. Athletes should be able to participate in regular activities before returning to unrestricted sports participation. The later stages involving contact or collision should be medically supervised and appropriate for the athlete’s sport.
The return-to-play progression includes six stages. Each stage should take a minimum of 24 hours, and an athlete should only move to the next stage when new or worsening symptoms are not present.
Step 1: Return to Regular Activities
Step 2: Light Aerobic Activity
Step 3: Moderate Activity
Step 4: Heavy, Non-Contact Activity
Step 5: Practice and Full Contact
Step 6: Return to Competition
If symptoms return or worsen during a stage, the athlete should stop the activity and follow the guidance of their health care professional before progressing.
Hattiesburg Clinic’s pediatric neurologist provides concussion evaluation and helps guide young athletes through recovery and return to play. Each athlete’s progression is based on their symptoms and recovery rather than a one-size-fits-all timeline. Families can work with the pediatric neurologist to understand when it is appropriate to increase activity and when an athlete is ready to return to sports.