Removal-from-Sport
Protocol
The following outlines a process for
immediate removal of an athlete who is suspected of having sustained a
concussion.
1. Remove the Athlete
Designated
person(s) to immediately remove the athlete from further training, practice or
competition if the athlete has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having
sustained a concussion regardless of whether the concussion or suspected
concussion was sustained from an activity associated with West Carleton Soccer
Club (WCSC).
2. Call 9-1-1 if Emergency
Designated
person(s) to call 9-1-1 if in their opinion, doing so is necessary (e.g., if there
is an emergency and any red flag signs and/or symptoms appear).
3. Inform
If
the athlete is under 18 years of age, Designated person(s) to inform the
athlete’s parent or guardian about the removal from further training, practice
or competition.

Designated
person(s) to advise the athlete, or the parent or guardian if the athlete is
under 18 years of age, that the athlete is required to undergo a medical
assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner before the athlete will be
permitted to return to training, practice or competition.
4. Give Protocols
Designated
person(s) to provide the athlete or, if the athlete is under 18 years of age,
the athlete’s parent or guardian WCSC Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport
protocols as soon as possible after the athlete has been removed from further
training, practice or competition.
5. Record the Incident
Make
and keep a record of incidences where an athlete is removed from further training,
practice or competition because they are suspected of having sustained a
concussion regardless of whether the athlete is later diagnosed with a
concussion.
6. Returning to Training, Practice or
Competition
Once
removed, the athlete is not permitted to return to training, practice or
competition, except in accordance with WCSC Return-to-Sport protocol.
Return-to-Sport Protocol
The following outlines a return-to-sport
process for an athlete who has been removed from training, practice or
competition due to a suspected or diagnosed concussion, regardless of whether
or not the concussion was sustained or is suspected of having been sustained
during a sport activity associated with WCSC.
1. Receive Confirmation
Ensure that an
athlete who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a
concussion does not return to training, practice or competition until the
athlete or, if the athlete is under 18 years of age, the athlete’s parent or guardian
provides confirmation to the designated person(s) that the athlete:
a)
Has
undergone a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner and has not
been diagnosed as having a concussion, and
b)
Has
been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition by the
physician or nurse practitioner.
2. If Diagnosed with Having A Concussion
If an athlete
has been diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as having a concussion
the athlete must proceed through the graduated return-to-sport steps.
The
Return-to-School Plan (Learning and Physical Activity)
Students
in elementary and secondary school with a diagnosed concussion must follow
their school board’s return-to-school plan, which supports a student's gradual
return to learning and return to physical activity. Contact the school for more
information.
3. Graduated Return-to-Sport Steps
It is important
to note that typical recovery times vary from person to person, and that some
individuals may require more time to progress through the graduated
return-to-sport steps.
The graduated
return-to-sport steps may include the following activities. It is typically
recommended that an athlete with concussion rest for 24 to 48 hours before
beginning step 1.
|
Activities
|
Goal of Step
|
Duration
|
STEP 1:
Symptom-limiting
activities
|
Daily activities that don’t make symptoms worse,
such as moving around the home and simple chores
|
Gradual reintroduction of daily school, and work
activities
|
At least 24 hours
|
STEP 2:
Light aerobic
activity
|
Light activities such as walking or stationary
bicycle at slow to medium pace for 10 to 15 minutes
|
Increase heart rate
|
At least 24 hours
|
STEP 3:
Sport-specific exercise
|
Individual physical
activity such as
running or skating
No contact or head impact activities
|
Add movement
|
At least 24 hours
|
STEP 4:
Non-contact training, practice drills
|
Harder training drills
Add resistance training (if appropriate)
|
Exercise, coordination and
increased thinking
|
At least 24 hours
|
STEP 5:
Unrestricted Training
& Practice
|
Unrestricted training and
practice- with contact where applicable
|
Restore confidence and
assess functional skills
|
At least 24 hours
Obtain clearance from physician
or nurse practitioner before unrestricted training, practice or competition
|
STEP 6:
Return-to-Sport
|
Unrestricted competition
|
|
|
An athlete is
typically ready to progress to the next step when they can do the activities at
their current step without new or worsening symptoms. If at any step symptoms
get worse, they should stop and return to the previous step before trying again.
If symptoms do not improve or if the symptoms continue to worsen, the athlete
should return to the physician or nurse practitioner.
4. Share Medical Advice
An athlete, or the
athlete’s parent or guardian must share the medical advice or recommendations
they receive with the designated person(s) before being permitted to return to
training, practice or competition through the graduated return-to-sport steps,
if any.
5. Disclosing Diagnosis
The designated
person(s) must inform the athlete or, if the athlete is under 18 years of age,
the athlete’s parent or guardian of the importance of disclosing the diagnosis
to any other sport organization with which the athlete is registered or school
that the athlete attends.
6. Medical Clearance
The athlete, or
the athlete’s parent or guardian must provide the designated person(s) a
confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner before
the athlete is permitted to move on to unrestricted training, practice or
competition.
7. Record Progression
The sport
organization must make and keep a record of the athlete’s progression through
the graduated return-to-sport steps until the athlete, or the athlete’s parent
or guardian, has provided a confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or
nurse practitioner to the designated person(s).
Note: The
sport organization must limit the collection, use, and disclosure of personal
information to that which is reasonably necessary for the purpose of carrying
out the sport organization’s protocols, and to limit access to such personal
information to only those individuals who require it for the purpose of
fulfilling their duties or obligations under the Act. Personal information
collected under this protocol shall be retained, disclosed and disposed of in a
secure manner and in accordance with the sport organization’s personal
information retention policy. The sport organization shall create a retention
policy for personal information.