AFL Barwon comments on proposed concussion guidelines

THE Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has released its latest guidelines for concussion management at the local and community sports level, with one local sports body outlining its approach to concussion.

The AIS published its concussion and brain health position statement earlier this month.

The report is a collaboration between the AIS, Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians, Sports Medicine Australia and Australian Physiotherapy Association, and provides new suggestions for how sporting codes can handle concussion at the grassroots level.

The document’s major guideline recommendations state players affected by concussion should abstain from training for at least 14 days symptom-free (at rest), avoid contact/collision match play for up to 21 days symptom-free, and introduce light exercise within 24-48 hours after an incident occurs.

In situations where more than two concussions have occurred within a 12-month period, the AIS recommends consideration be given to the affected player missing at least a season of contact/collision sport.

“Return to learn and work activities should take priority over return to sport,” the report stated.

“That is, while graduated return to learn/work activities and sport activities can occur simultaneously, the athlete should not return to full contact sport activities until they have successfully completed a full return to learn/work activities.”

If implemented, the AIS’s new guidelines mean local football players across the Barwon region can only return to play after suffering a concussion, nine days later than presently recommended.

As they stand, the AFL’s concussion guidelines around community sport state: “The earliest that a player may return to play (once they have successfully completed a graded loading program and they have obtained medical clearance) is on the 12th day after the day on which the concussion was suffered”.

AFL Barwon regional manager Edward Wilson did not say if AFL Barwon was in the process of updating its concussion protocols ahead of the 2024 season, but said the sports body followed recommendations laid out by the AFL’s medical team and fully supported the AIS’s recommendations.

“The health and safety of players at all levels of our game continues to remain our number one priority,” Wilson said.

“Any project that works towards making sport a safer environment for all involved, is an exercise we support.

“We’re pleased that as a sport we take a proactive approach in providing a safe and sustainable environment for all our participants.”

Wilson said the AFL reviewed concussion guidelines for community football and the process for 2024 was ongoing.

Once determined, AFL Barwon will align its protocols with the AFL’s guidelines and endorse them for all community football competitions and leagues throughout the Barwon region.

“AFL Barwon has proactively worked with the AFL medical team for 12 months now and has engaged independent experts to work with the AFL Barwon Commission and team, to elevate our understanding, strategy, and support,” Wilson said.

“This is part of our regional strategy to be leaders in the delivery of football and netball, across the region.”

To view the AIS’s new guidelines, click HERE.