Why contact sport players get hurt

The NHS describes concussion symptoms such as headache, dizziness, feeling sick, confusion, memory problems and changes in mood, and notes they can appear hours later. The 2022 international consensus statement on concussion in sport, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, sets out the approach most sports now follow. Children and adolescents take longer to recover and need extra caution. Repeated concussions, especially before recovery from the last one, are particularly concerning.

01Missed concussion

Players often want to continue, and many concussions do not involve losing consciousness. Signs include lying still after a hit, unsteadiness, a blank look, confusion, and symptoms such as headache or blurred vision.

What helps

  • Remove anyone with a suspected concussion from play: if in doubt, sit them out.
  • Do not leave them alone for the first hours; watch for worsening.
  • Get a medical assessment the same day.
  • Never return to play on the same day.

02Returning too soon

Returning before recovery increases the risk of another injury and of prolonged symptoms. Consensus guidance supports a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual increase in light activity, then a staged return to sport with medical clearance before full contact.

What helps

  • Rest for the first day or two, then begin light activity that does not worsen symptoms.
  • Return to school or work before full return to sport.
  • Follow your sport's graded return-to-play protocol step by step.
  • Get medical clearance before returning to contact training.

03Head impacts in training and play

Many head impacts happen in tackling and contact drills. Coaching safe technique and limiting full-contact training can reduce exposure.

What helps

  • Learn and coach safe tackling with the head out of the line of contact.
  • Limit full-contact training sessions during the week.
  • Strengthen the neck and upper body.
  • Use and maintain the protective equipment your sport requires; helmets reduce skull fractures but do not prevent concussion.

Weekly checklist for contact sport players

  • Know the signs of concussion and the club's protocol.
  • Practise safe tackling technique each week.
  • Include neck and upper body strength work.
  • Record any head impact with symptoms, however mild.
  • Sleep well during recovery from any knock.
  • Keep return-to-play steps written down and followed.

When to see a professional

  • Any suspected concussion: same-day medical assessment.
  • Symptoms that last more than two weeks in adults or four weeks in children.
  • Repeated concussions, or concussion from lighter impacts than before.
  • Changes in mood, sleep or concentration after head injuries.

Call emergency services for loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, or increasing confusion or drowsiness after a head injury.

Where ONU fits

ONU brings your sleep, activity and recovery trends together, which can help you follow how your sleep and activity return during a graded recovery. It cannot diagnose concussion or decide when you can return to play; that decision belongs with a medical professional.

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Common questions

Do you have to be knocked out to have concussion?

No. Most concussions happen without loss of consciousness. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion or feeling 'not right' are enough to suspect one.

How long should you rest after concussion?

Current guidance supports relative rest for a day or two, then gradually increasing light activity that does not make symptoms worse, before a staged return to sport.

Do headguards prevent concussion?

Soft headguards and helmets can protect against cuts and skull injuries, but they have not been shown to prevent concussion.

Sources and further reading

Educational information drawn from the public-health sources listed on this page. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a guarantee that you will avoid an illness or injury. ONU does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a qualified professional about anything that concerns you, and follow the rules of your employer, sport or local health service.