Concussion Policy

Purpose

  1. Waterloo Cycling Club (WCC) is committed to promoting the safety of those participating in the sport of cycling. The WCC recognizes the increased awareness of concussions and their long-term effects and believes that awareness of concussions is paramount to protecting the health and safety of WCC Members.

  2. This Policy provides guidance in identifying common signs and symptoms of concussion, protocol to be followed in the event of a possible concussion, and return to ride guidelines should a concussion be diagnosed. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussion and knowledge of how to properly manage a concussion is critical to recovery and helping to ensure the individual is not returning to physical activities too soon, risking further complications.

  3. A concussion is a clinical diagnosis that can only be made by a physician. Management of concussion and return to activity is the responsibility of the injured Member or the parent/guardian, if applicable. Those identified as having a suspected concussion will need medical clearance to participate in club rides.

Removal-from-Sport Protocol

The following outlines the 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 the Waterloo Cycling Club.

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.

A medical assessment determines whether the athlete has a concussion. An athlete will not be permitted to return to training, practice or competition until they receive medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner to do so.

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 with the Waterloo Cycling Club 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. Ride leaders will notify the club of the suspected 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 the Waterloo Cycling Club Return-to-Sport protocol.

Return-to-Sport Protocol

The following outlines the 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 the Waterloo Cycling Club.

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:

  • Has undergone a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner and has not been diagnosed as having a concussion, and

  • 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.

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. Athletes may wish to consult with a professional who can guide concussion rehabilitation 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.

Figure 1: Graduated Return-to-Sport Steps

STEP 1: Symptom-limiting activities

    • Activities

      • Daily activities that don’t make symptoms worse, such as moving around the home and simple chores

    • Goal of Step

      • Gradual reintroduction of daily school, and work activities

    • Duration

      • At least 24 hours

STEP 2: Light aerobic activity

    • Activities

      • Light activities such as walking or cycling on trainer at slow to medium pace for 10 to 15 minutes

    • Goal of Step

      • Increase heart rate

    • Duration

      • At least 24 hours

STEP 3: Sport-specific exercise

    • Activities

      • Individual physical activity such as running or cycling on a trainer (no rollers).

      • No contact or head impact activities

    • Goal of Step

      • Add movement

    • Duration

      • At least 24 hours

STEP 4: Non-contact training, practice drills

    • Activities

      • Harder training drills

      • Add resistance training (if appropriate)

    • Goal of Step

      • Exercise, coordination and increased thinking

    • Duration

      • At least 24 hours

STEP 5: Unrestricted Training & Practice

    • Activities

      • Unrestricted training and practice solo riding.

    • Goal of Step

      • Restore confidence and assess functional skills

    • Duration

      • At least 24 hours

      • Obtain clearance from physician or nurse practitioner before unrestricted training, practice or competition

STEP 6: Return-to-Sport

    • Activities

      • Unrestricted competition and return to club rides.

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. 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 return to training, practice or competition.

Resources

Concussion Recognition Tool

Concussion Resources from Government of Ontario

Guidelines during all events and rides. Members will use their best efforts to:

    1. Be aware of incidents that may cause a concussion, such as:

      1. Falls

      2. Accidents

      3. Collisions

      4. Head trauma – (blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a force to the head)

    2. Recognize and understand the symptoms that may result from a concussion. These may appear immediately after the injury or within hours or days of the injury and may be different for each person. Some common signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to:

      1. Nausea

      2. Poor concentration

      3. Amnesia

      4. Fatigue

      5. Sensitivity to light or noise

      6. Irritability

      7. Poor appetite

      8. Decreased memory

      9. Poor balance

      10. Slowed reaction time

    3. Identify injured Members or other individuals who have been involved in any of the above incidents and exhibit any of the above symptoms.

    4. Carry clear identification so that emergency contacts can be informed.