Is concussion managed differently for children or disabled players?

The same core rules apply to everyone: remove from play immediately, no return within 24 hours, and no return to competition before day 21. The guidelines add some points for particular groups.

Children and adolescents

• May be more susceptible to concussion.
• Take longer to recover, and returning to school too early may make symptoms worse and prolong recovery.
• Are more susceptible to rare but dangerous complications, including death from a second impact before they have recovered from a previous concussion.

Disabled players

• "If in doubt, sit them out" applies in the same way.
• Some adaptations may be needed, such as help with transfers for wheelchair users so they can rest early on, or using a hand cycle instead of a stationary bike later in the return programme.
• A longer initial period of physical and mental rest may be needed, especially for people with cerebral palsy, stroke or a previous moderate or severe brain injury.
• During the return programme, work out whether a symptom is part of the person's normal functioning rather than caused by the concussion.

Girls and women
Limited research suggests female athletes may be at higher risk and may take longer to recover. All concussions should still be managed individually.