Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that temporarily affects brain function. It can occur after a blow to the head or body, and symptoms may appear immediately or develop later.
Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or feeling unusually slowed down or foggy. Even a player who appears unaffected may have a concussion.
In football, concussion most often occurs after a collision, heading duel, fall, or another force that causes rapid movement of the head and brain. Loss of consciousness does not have to occur.
Common situations
- •Player-to-player collision
- •Impact from the ball, elbow, or another body part
- •A fall in which the head hits the ground
- •A forceful body collision causing rapid movement of the head forward, backward, or sideways
Concussions cannot always be prevented, but risk can be reduced through safe training and match environments, appropriate technique, and clear procedures for recognizing and managing suspected concussions.
- •Teach players safe techniques for challenges, landings, and heading duels
- •Use clear rules and procedures for contact and tackling
- •Always take a suspected concussion seriously
- •Remove the player from play immediately when concussion is suspected
- •Have a clear plan for medical assessment and return to play
Stop participation immediately and have the player assessed by a healthcare professional. The player should not return to training or competition on the same day. During the first few days, relative rest followed by gradual return to everyday activity can be used according to symptoms.
Symptom management and daily activity
Gradual return to normal daily activities as symptoms allow, while avoiding activities that carry a risk of another head injury.
Goals
Stable or improving symptoms and normal daily functioning.
Progression criteria
Daily activities can be completed without significant symptom worsening and a healthcare professional has approved progression to sports activity.
Gradual physical activity
Gradual progression from light aerobic activity to more intense and football-specific activity.
Goals
Increase physical load without new or significantly worsening symptoms.
Progression criteria
Each step is tolerated without new symptoms and the player follows the individualized return-to-play plan.
Football and contact
Once previous steps are tolerated, football-specific activities and then controlled full contact can be introduced according to the medical plan.
Goals
Meet the demands of football without symptoms and without increased risk of another head injury.
Progression criteria
All return-to-play steps have been completed without symptoms and the player has medical clearance for competition.
- No return to play on the same day as the injury
- Medical assessment is required before returning to sport
- Use a stepwise return-to-play progression, with each step typically taking at least 24 hours
- Stop progression if new or worsening symptoms occur
- Return to competition only after completing the progression and receiving medical clearance
The information in the Injury Center is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that temporarily affects brain function. It can occur after a blow to the head or body, and symptoms may appear immediately or develop later.
Mild — Många återhämtar sig inom några veckor, men återhämtningstiden varierar och vissa kan ha symtom längre.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or feeling unusually slowed down or foggy. Even a player who appears unaffected may have a concussion.
Acute Treatment
Stop participation immediately and have the player assessed by a healthcare professional. The player should not return to training or competition on the same day. During the first few days, relative rest followed by gradual return to everyday activity can be used according to symptoms.
Rehabilitation
Gradual return to normal daily activities as symptoms allow, while avoiding activities that carry a risk of another head injury.
Goals
Stable or improving symptoms and normal daily functioning.
Progression criteria
Daily activities can be completed without significant symptom worsening and a healthcare professional has approved progression to sports activity.
Gradual progression from light aerobic activity to more intense and football-specific activity.
Goals
Increase physical load without new or significantly worsening symptoms.
Progression criteria
Each step is tolerated without new symptoms and the player follows the individualized return-to-play plan.
Once previous steps are tolerated, football-specific activities and then controlled full contact can be introduced according to the medical plan.
Goals
Meet the demands of football without symptoms and without increased risk of another head injury.
Progression criteria
All return-to-play steps have been completed without symptoms and the player has medical clearance for competition.
Return to Play
- ☐ No return to play on the same day as the injury
- ☐ Medical assessment is required before returning to sport
- ☐ Use a stepwise return-to-play progression, with each step typically taking at least 24 hours
- ☐ Stop progression if new or worsening symptoms occur
- ☐ Return to competition only after completing the progression and receiving medical clearance
Moderate — Ofta några veckor, men återhämtningstiden varierar och längre symtomduration förekommer.
Symptoms
More pronounced or multiple symptoms, such as significant headache, dizziness, nausea, balance problems, sensitivity to light or sound, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating. Symptoms may affect school, work, or daily activities.
Acute Treatment
Remove the player from all sports activity and arrange medical assessment. Avoid activities that carry a risk of another head injury and follow the healthcare professional's individualized advice regarding physical and cognitive load.
Rehabilitation
Gradual return to daily activities with adjustments to physical and cognitive load.
Goals
Reduce symptoms and restore normal daily function.
Progression criteria
Daily activities are tolerated and a healthcare professional determines that sports progression can begin.
Gradual increase in physical load through return-to-play steps, typically allowing at least 24 hours per step.
Goals
Tolerate increasing physical load without symptom worsening.
Progression criteria
Each step is tolerated without new symptoms before progressing to the next step.
Progression to running, changes of direction, football-specific drills, and then controlled contact.
Goals
Meet the physical and cognitive demands of football without symptoms.
Progression criteria
Full progression completed without symptoms and medical clearance for competition.
Return to Play
- ☐ No return on the same day
- ☐ Medical assessment before returning to sport
- ☐ Follow a stepwise progression, typically allowing at least 24 hours per step
- ☐ Stop or step back if symptoms return
- ☐ Full contact and competition only after medical clearance
Severe — Varierar kraftigt beroende på skadans omfattning och eventuella komplikationer.
Symptoms
Signs such as worsening or severe headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, altered consciousness, worsening confusion, weakness or numbness, or other neurological changes may indicate a more serious brain injury.
Acute Treatment
Seek emergency medical care when danger signs are present. Avoid unnecessary movement if a serious head or neck injury is suspected and follow emergency medical procedures.
Rehabilitation
Severe symptoms require medical assessment and potentially further investigation before rehabilitation begins.
Goals
Exclude or treat more serious brain or cervical spine injury.
Progression criteria
A healthcare professional has assessed the injury and established an individualized rehabilitation plan.
Return is guided by symptoms, neurological function, and medical assessment.
Goals
Restore normal function and tolerate gradually increasing load.
Progression criteria
A healthcare professional approves progression to sport-specific activity.
Return to Play
- ☐ No return to play before medical assessment
- ☐ No contact sport until fully recovered and medically cleared
- ☐ Follow the individualized rehabilitation and return-to-play plan
- ☐ Return to competition only after full medical assessment and clearance
When to Seek Medical Care
All suspected concussions in athletes should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
- Worsening or severe headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Loss of consciousness or significant alteration of consciousness
- Seizures
- Increasing confusion or unusual behavior
- Weakness, numbness, or other neurological symptoms
- Visual disturbance or significant balance problems
- Symptoms that do not improve or become worse over time
References
- Returning to Sports — CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/guidelines/returning-to-sports.html)
- Responding to a Sports-related Concussion — CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/response/index.html)