New Rules Proposed for Athletes with Head Injuries

Athletes who suffer a concussion would need a doctor’s approval before being allowed to compete, according to regulations proposed last week.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the governing body for high school athletics, made the proposal March 8 before the Assembly Education Committee. According the proposal:

Athletes and coaches would be required to receive annual training on recognizing head injuries, and parents would also receive information at the start of the season.

Athletes who suffered a head injury would need to be symptom-free for a week before being allowed to return to the field. A physician’s approval would be needed before the athlete could return.

Any athlete showing symptoms of a concussion would be immediately removed from play.

The NJSIAA, which oversees high school sports for approximately 425 public and private high schools, is expected to adopt the regulations in a month, according to news reports.

Copyright © 2010 New Jersey School Boards Association. All rights reserved.