UK Concussion guidelines for non-elite (grassroot) sports

New official guidelines have been released to better protect sport participants from the potentially devastating effects of head injuries and concussion.

Published this month by the Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance, it is hoped the first UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport will help players, coaches, parents, schools, National Governing Bodies and sports administrators identify, manage and prevent the issue.

The strapline ‘If in doubt, sit them out’ makes clear no-one should return to sport within 24 hours of a suspected concussion, building on guidance already introduced in Scotland.

The guidelines have been developed by an expert panel of domestic and international clinicians and academics in neurology and sports medicine.

It is targeted at people of all ages and sets out steps to improve understanding and awareness of the prevention and treatment of concussion in grassroots sport where trained medical professionals are less likely to be routinely present. 

 The UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport can be viewed here.