When Should Young People Play Sports Again or Return to Their Normal Physical Activities?
As long as your child is “symptomatic” – which means that any physical, thinking, or behavioral problems caused by the concussion are still seen – it is important that he or she not do anything that might cause another concussion. When there are still symptoms or problems, your child should NOT do any of the following until a medical doctor says it is okay: • contact sports (football, hockey, soccer, rugby, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, etc.) • riding a bike, scooter, motorcycle, ATV, 4-wheeler, or horse • driving a car • skateboarding, rollerblading, ice-skating • snow or water skiing, snowboarding, sledding • martial arts • gymnastics • jumping on a trampoline or any climbing activities (on playground equipment, trees, etc.) • any other activity in which your child might hit his or her head In some situations, neuropsychological or school-based testing can be useful after a concussion. However, these types of evaluations should NOT be used by themselves to decide whether a child
