Concussion Management Plan

The Viterbo University Athletics Department is committed to the safety and well-being of its
student-athletes. It is committed to the prevention, identification, evaluation, and management
of concussions.

Therefore, the Department of Athletics has adopted a Concussion Management Plan for
student-athletes who exhibit signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion. The
plan addresses the removal from practice or competition, evaluation by an experienced
healthcare provider, and the criteria for medical clearance to return to activity.

Definition of concussion: In accordance with the 5th International Conference on Concussion in
Sport (2012), a cerebral concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting
the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces.

Concussions occur from forces, applied directly or indirectly to the skull. These forces cause
rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain, and as a result, the brain is injured as it shakes
back and forth inside the skull. A hard bump, fall, or whiplash can affect brain function in ways
that are seen and felt right away. Symptoms might not appear for hours. Athletes at high risk of
concussion are those in contact or collision sports, but any athlete can sustain a concussion.
Not all concussions can be prevented, but the chances of sustaining one can be reduced by
wearing proper protective equipment and using proper technique for the sport.

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

Concussions may cause abnormalities in clinical symptoms, physical signs, behavior, balance,
cognition, and/or sleep. Signs and symptoms of concussions include, but are not limited to:

Headache
• Inability to focus
• Loss of consciousness (this may or may not occur)
• Delayed verbal or motor responses
• Visual disturbances (blurry vision, double vision)
• Feeling like ‘in a fog’ or dazed
• Confusion or disorientation
• Ringing in ears
• Amnesia
• Irritability
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Fatigue or feeling slowed down
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive drowsiness
• Sleep disturbances

A concussed athlete will not be returned to athletic participation on the day of injury. Repeat
concussions can cause lasting brain damage, disability, or death. There are long-term
consequences of repeated subconcussive and concussive impacts, including lasting brain
damage, impairment of normal cognitive function, disability, or death.

Evaluation

Any student-athlete exhibiting signs and symptoms of a concussion will be immediately
removed from play and evaluated for mental and physical status by a certified athletic trainer.
Any student-athlete diagnosed with a concussion will not be allowed to return to activity for the
remainder of that day. The student-athlete will be serially monitored for changes in mental and
physical status and will be provided with written instructions on self-care for the rest of that day when he/she is released. The mental and physical status of the athlete will also be monitored in the several days following the initial injury.

Referral to Emergency Department

Appropriate activation of the on-site Emergency Action Plan will occur for any student-athlete
exhibiting focal neurological deficits, progressive or worsening signs and symptoms, and/or
signs and symptoms of associated injuries (e.g. neck injury).

Physician Referral

The Athletic Training staff utilizes ImPACT (Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and
Cognitive Testing) for athletes involved in sports that increase their risk for concussion injury.
Before the onset of activity, a baseline test is conducted to measure neurocognitive
performance. This test is administered at the beginning of their freshman, junior, and transfer
seasons.

Prior to taking the ImPACT baseline student-athletes will be shown an educational video that
addresses the definition of concussion, how concussions are sustained, signs/symptoms of a
concussion, return to activity, and the risks involved with not reporting concussions right away.
After sustaining a concussion, the athlete will take this test again at a clinically designated time
and will present these results at a required physician appointment. At this appointment, the
results will be interpreted, the athlete will undergo examination, and the physician will
determine the readiness of the athlete to begin the Return to Activity Protocol.

Return to Activity

When return to sport is appropriate, a standardized post-concussion progression will be
administered over several days, each day increasing inactivity intensity. Student-athletes
suffering a concussion must be sign/symptom-free at rest for a minimum of 24 hours before
starting any exertional activity. If symptoms return at any time during this progression,
activities will be stopped for that day. When the athlete is once again asymptomatic, the
progression can be resumed. Athletes should be able to comfortably complete full practice
sessions before returning to competition.