The guidelines include a number of recommendations for managing concussions on the field and identifying the symptoms. However, the most significant changes are in the way concussions are handled after they occur.

All players should wait at least 14 full days after a concussion before resuming contact training. Previously, this was the recommendation for children. Now, it is also applicable to community sports. All players must wait at least 21 days before returning to competitive play after a concussion.

This is contrary to previous recommendations by many Australian sporting organizations, who typically enforce a minimum of 10 to 14 days before an athlete concussed can resume competition.

The new guidelines are based on a number of recommendations made by the Senate inquiry last year into concussions, repeated head trauma, and contact sports. What’s the reasoning behind making people sit out longer?

The dangers of concussion

The concussion that occurs during sports has been defined to include:

A direct hit to the head, neck, or body causes a traumatic brain injury. This causes an impulsive force to be transmitted to the brain. It can occur during sports and other exercise-related activities.

In recent years, concussions in sports have become a hot topic. And for good reason. Concussions can cause blood flow changes and inflammation of the brain.

Concussions can lead to fatigue, nausea, and light sensitivity, but also more serious symptoms, such as a change in behavior, loss of coordination and balance, and severe headaches.

Some evidence suggests that repeated concussions may have long-term consequences. There are also long-term reductions in cognitive functions, which affect how people think, make choices, and process data, as well as an increased risk of developing dementia when they reach older adulthood.

Concussions can cause a wide range of symptoms. TommyStockProject/Shutterstock

Concussion in children

Children who have had a previous concussion have a nearly four-fold greater likelihood of getting concussed again in the future compared to those who never have.

Our research also showed that adolescent athletes who returned from concussions were around 50% more likely than other athletes to sustain any future injury. We also discovered that most athletes returned to competition within 12 days of concussion, suggesting insufficient recovery may be increasing the risk of injury.

It seems that children and adolescents recover more slowly from concussions than adults.

According to recent evidence, children may not fully recover and be able to resume sports until 20 days following a concussion. Adults, however, could be ready to return after as little as 14 days. This is not the case for all, as some people take much longer to recover.

Read more: New study highlights the brain trauma risks for young athletes.

A step in the right direction

In light of these factors, increasing the concussion recovery period to 21 days not only makes sense but is also a positive move. This change is not only beneficial for children but also for adults who play community sports, especially if they do not have access to medical advice.

Many people who are involved in sports accept that recovery from a strain of the muscles can take up to eight weeks. So why would they not assume that the brain, which is arguably the most important part of the human body, needs less time?

It takes time to recover from a concussion. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Australia isn’t the first country that has tightened its guidelines.

The first concussion Guidelines to be implemented in the United Kingdom will cover all non-elite sports by April 2023. They will set the same minimum recovery day.

Similar guidelines are also in place throughout New Zealand for a variety of sports.

No research has been done to determine if these updated guidelines are having a positive impact. However, coming back too soon may be a risk.

Implementing the Guidelines

These guidelines may have positive effects on the health and well-being of athletes in the country. Still, their implementation can also be problematic – particularly at the grassroots, where there is often a lack of medical personnel.

You don’t need to be an expert in order to reduce concussion effects.

First, those who are involved in community sports should be aware of the protocols proposed by the AIS for concussion management. Club staff must be knowledgeable of the symptoms and signs of concussion, as well as when to refer their players to a medical professional.

Read more: Hit your head while playing sport? Here’s what just happened to your brain.

The second step, as recommended by the updated guidelines, is to introduce a “ concussion officer ” to oversee the management of concussion. This person doesn’t need to be a concussion expert and is not expected to diagnose concussion. Like the role of a fire warden, the concussion officer ensures anyone diagnosed with concussion follows the agreed protocol.

When in doubt, it’s best to let young athletes rest. It is best to take a more conservative approach.