Concussion in Sport

What is a concussion?

Concussions are brain injuries that happen after direct hits to, or transmitted indirectly to the head. Concussions lead to many different symptoms reported by the injured athlete or sport participant and by other individuals observing signs. In the case of a suspected concussion, the injured athlete or participant should be removed from play or sport and be followed up with a healthcare professional. Fortunately, most individuals recover in the initial 4 weeks after a concussion, although up to 20% to 30% of youth and adults may have symptoms that last longer.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion

Physical

  • Headache
  • Pressure in the head
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Balance problems
  • Feeling tired or low energy
  • Drowsiness
  • Don’t feel right
 Cognitive

  • Not thinking clearly
  • Feeling slowed down
  • Feeling like “in a fog”
  • Problems concentrating
  • Memory problems
 Emotional

  • Easily upset or angered
  • Sadness
  • Nervous or anxious
  • Feeling more emotional
 Sleep-related

  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Having a hard time falling asleep

In all suspected cases of concussion, the person should stop the activity right away. Continuing increases their risk of more severe, longer-lasting concussion symptoms, as well as increases their risk of other injury. Anyone with a suspected concussion should be checked out by a medical doctor.

Red Flag Symptoms:

  • Neck pain or tenderness
  • Double Vision
  • Weakness or tingling in arms or legs
  • Severe or increasing headache
  • Seizure of convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness (knocked out)
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Vomiting more than once
  • Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
  • Growing confusion

If any red flag symptoms are present, call an ambulance right away as these may be signs of a more serious injury.

Source: Parachute Canada, 2022

National Concussion Awareness Week

At the 2022 Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (F-P/T SPAR), Ministers reiterated that concussions remain a major concern and Ministers committed to continue pan-Canadian efforts on concussion awareness, prevention, detection and management. Ministers committed to exploring opportunities for collaboration with the health and education departments in order to enhance awareness and prevention. Ministers will initiate work in collaboration with stakeholders and provide resources and support to adjust the existing Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport and other prevention or education/awareness tools.

2023 National Concussion Awareness Week (September 24 – September 30, 2023)
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation is working collaboratively with the recreation and sport sectors to implement awareness activities during National Concussion Awareness Week (September 24 – September 30, 2023) to promote awareness about concussion safety in sport.

In October 2022, the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The purpose of this conference was to update recommendations for sport-related concussion based on evolving research and evidence through the release of the 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport.

As a result of the release of the consensus statement, the Atlantic Concussion Collaborative Work Group developed a two- page resource to support the recreation and sport sector learn about the updates and new resources that have been developed as a result of this recent research.

Concussion Consensus Statement Updates (2023)

National Concussion Awareness Week Toolkit – The Toolkit provides essential tools and resources to activate concussion awareness week in jurisdictions across Canada including activity ideas, key messages, and links to credible, evidence-based resources.

Parachute Concussion Ed app – YouTube 


Resources:
Below are a number of evidenced based tools and resources to support stakeholders in the awareness, prevention, detection, and management of concussion in sport. Note: The 6th International Consensus Statement will require updates to many of the resources listed below. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation will update the most recent information once received.

Resources for the Recreation and Sport Sector:
Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (Parachute Canada)
Concussion Protocol Resources for Sport Organizations (Parachute Canada)
Making Head Way Concussion eLearning Series (Coaching Association of Canada)
Concussion in Sport Infographic
6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport (Amsterdam, 2023)
Concussion Ed App
Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 5 Assessment
Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 5
Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6)
Parachute Concussion Ed app – YouTube
A CONVERSATION ON CONCUSSION | UNE CONVERSATION SUR LES COMMOTIONS CÉRÉBRALES – YouTube

Resources for the Health Sector:
Concussion Tools and Resources for Healthcare Professionals (Parachute Canada)
Child SCAT6
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6)
Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6)

Resources for the Education Sector:
Concussion Protocol Resources for Schools (Parachute Canada)

Provincial Organizations:
Sport NL
Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Injury Prevention Coalition

Additional Organizations:
Parachute Canada
Sport Information Resource Centre
CASEM
Canadian Concussion Network
Government of Canada – Concussion in Sport and Recreation