Concussion
What Concussion Is
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects the function of the brain and the person; it affects the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, moves and remembers things.
Onset of Symptoms
The first signs and symptoms of concussion typically appear immediately or within minutes of injury, or they may evolve for up to several days following the injury.
There are a broad range of potential signs/symptoms related to concussions (e.g., headache, dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness).
Signs and symptoms commonly resolve within days, but in some cases they may be prolonged.
Concussion Awareness Training Tool
Free resources and training for recognition, management, and recovery from concussion.
Causes of Concussion
A concussion is not always caused by a direct hit to the head. It may be caused by a direct hit to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body with an ‘impulse’ force transmitted to the head.
A concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological (brain cognition) function that resolves spontaneously.
Only 10% of concussions result in a loss of consciousness (being ‘knocked out’), therefore is not required to diagnose concussion. However, anyone who loses consciousness because of a head injury has had a concussion.
How Concussion Affects
Concussion can affect people in 5 main areas:
Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, vision problems, sensitivity to light, and/or sensitivity to noise, etc.
Mental processing: not thinking clearly, feeling and reacting slowed down, disorientation, memory problems, etc.
Mood: being short tempered, sad or emotional, etc.
Sleep: not being able to sleep or sleeping too much, etc.
Motor control: observed motor incoordination upon standing, seizure, or tonic posturing.
Continuing to play with concussion can prolong recovery and return to activity and sport.
It also increases the risk of sustaining other injuries (e.g. musculoskeletal injuries) and, if another head injury occurs, result in more severe injury and in rare cases, death.
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Concussion Recognition
The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) can be used by non-medically trained individuals for the identification and immediate management of suspected concussion.
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Recognize & Remove
Early removal and early access to care reduces recovery time.
Extra caution is required for child, adolescent and female athletes as they take longer to recover.
Everyone has a role to play in supporting the recognition and management of concussion.
Anyone with a suspected concussion should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY.
After checking for neck injury, seek assessment by a qualified medical professional (doctor).
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Red Flags
Anyone with RED FLAGS must seek urgent medical help.
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Concussion Assessment
The recognition, evaluation, diagnosis and management of sport-related concussion is complex, dynamic and multidimensional.
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6)
The SCAT6 is a standardized tool for evaluating concussions designed for use by medical professionals.
The SCAT6 cannot be performed correctly in less than 10-15 minutes.
Except for the symptoms scale, the SCAT6 is intended to be used in the acute phase, ideally within 72 hours (3 days), and up to 7 days, following injury.
If greater than 7 days post-injury, consider using the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6.
If you are not a medical professional, please use the Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6).
For Web App administration: https://scat6-web.web.app/
Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6)
The SCOAT6 is a tool for evaluating concussion in a controlled office environment typically by medical professionals, from 72 hours (3 days) following a sport-related concussion.
The components of the SCOAT6 have been colour coded as follows:
Black: need only be completed at the first consultation
Green: recommended components
Orange: optional components.
SCAT6 and SCOAT6 translated versions into multiple languages can be found: https://www.concussioninsportgroup.com/scat-tools/
Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6)
The Child SCAT6 is a standardized tool for evaluating concussions in children ages 8-12 years, and designed for use by medical professionals. For athletes aged 13 years or older, please use the SCAT6.
The Child SCAT6 cannot be performed correctly in less than 10-15 minutes.
It is intended to be used in the acute phase, ideally within 72 hours (3 days), and up to 7 days, following injury.
If greater than 7 days post-injury consider using the Child Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (Child SCOAT6).
If you are not a medical professional, please use the Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6).
Child Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (Child SCOAT6)
The Child SCOAT6 is a tool for evaluating concussions in athletes aged 8-12 years, in a controlled office environment typically by medical professionals, from 72 hours (3 days) following a sport-related concussion.
For athletes aged 13 years and older, please use the SCOAT6.
The components of the Child SCOAT6 have been colour coded as follows:
Black: need only be completed at the first consultation
Green: recommended components
Orange: optional components.
Child SCAT6 and Child SCOAT6 translated versions into multiple languages can be found: https://www.concussioninsportgroup.com/scat-tools/
Non-Medical Professionals Approach
Concussion Management & Recovery
Key Points
Concussion recovery time varies. Most symptoms of a concussion resolve by two to four weeks, but some can take longer.
Treatment is most effective when initiated early.
The effects of concussion can interfere with an individual’s ability to learn or to function well at work.
Typical management includes physical and cognitive rest for 24-48 hours (including reduced electronic screen use).
Return to competitive sport must only occur after progressive physical activity.
Return to Activity and Play: After a Concussion
Return-to-Sport Strategy
Returning to activities, including sport participation, after a concussion is a step-wise process.
Each stage is a minimum of 24 hours but could take longer.
Since each concussion is unique, people will progress at different rates.
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Discipline-Specific Return-to-Sport Strategies After Concussion
Find more from Parachute and Ski Canada at: https://parachute.ca/en/professional-resource/concussion-collection/concussion-protocol-resources-for-sport-organizations/
Roles Within Concussion - What is Your Role Following a Concussion?
Athlete
Coaches & Teams
Medical Professionals & Physiotherapists
Parents & Caregivers
External Resources
Webinars
Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (Parachute)
Concussion Recognition Scenarios (Parachute)
The New Consensus Statement on Concussions in Sport: What It Means for Sport Leaders (Sport Information Resource Centre, Canada)
Improving Concussion Awareness and Education (ConcussEd)
Concussion Guidelines
Web Resources
Parachute Canada - Concussion Resources: https://parachute.ca/en/professional-resource/concussion-collection/
Concussion Awareness Training Tool - Resources: https://resources.cattonline.com/
Concussion in Sport Group - Resources: https://www.concussioninsportgroup.com/resources/
Parachute Canada - Concussion: https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/concussion/
ANZ Concussion Guidelines and Toolbox: