Symptoms of concussion
Presence of any one or more of the following signs and symptoms may suggest a concussion:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Mental clouding, confusion, or feeling slowed down
- Visual problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness/feeling like “in a fog“/difficulty concentrating
- “Pressure in head”
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Pitch side guidelines
Recognise – Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion above so you understand when a player might have a suspected concussion.
Remove – If an athlete has a concussion or even a suspected concussion he or she must be removed from play immediately.
Refer – Once removed from play, the player should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Rest – Players must rest from exercise until symptom-free and then start a Graduated Return to Play. The IRB recommends a more conservative return to play for children and adolescents (see Graduated Return To Play Protocol).
Recover – Full recovery from the concussion is required before return to play is authorised. This includes being symptom-free. Rest and specific treatment options are critical for the health of the injured participant.
Return – In order for safe return to play in Rugby, the player must be symptom-free. The athlete must complete the GRTP (Graduated Return To Play Protocol).
