Concussion guidelines announced by ACC

ACC has announced new national concussion guidelines for community sport it hopes will improve health outcomes.

They will come into effect this winter season and are designed to improve wellbeing by introducing a standardised approach to managing concussion.

There are three key changes.

Players who suffer a concussion must stand down for a minimum of 21 days and they must get medical clearance before returning to competition.

They must also be symptom-free for 14 days before making a graduated return to play.

ACC deputy chief executive of prevention and partnerships Tane Cassidy said the approach was about introducing a uniform response.

"Historically, there has been no national and consistent standard for recognising and treating concussion at the community sport level,” Cassidy said.

"As a player, parent, caregiver, member of whānau, coach, club official, or referee it is hard to know what advice to follow. Similarly for GPs, it is confusing and hard to know what advice to give and to who.

"This inconsistency increases the risk of people either not reporting their concussion at all, or reporting their concussion but returning to sport too soon and risking more serious injury.

"These national concussion guidelines aim to change that.”

ACC accepted 10,648 claims for sports-related concussion in 2023 at a cost of $64 million.

In the past five years ACC has spent a colossal $266m on sports-related concussion.

But ACC research suggests that around 1100 concussions go untreated.

Cassidy said it was important concussion symptoms were managed well.

"Good early management of concussion can improve long term outcomes", he said.

"We are committed to increasing awareness and education around concussion, and these guidelines give community sport the direction they need

"Taking 21 days to get right gives the player the best chance to fully regain their strength, co-ordination, speed and skills."