DANGERS OF CONCUSSION
Concussions at all levels of sports have received a great deal of attention and a state law has been passed to address this issue.  Adolescent athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion.  Once considered little more than a minor "ding" to the head, it is now understood that a concussion has the potential to result in death, or changes in brain function (either short-term or long-term).  A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function.  A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body.  Continued participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain, and even death.

Player and parental education in this area is crucial - that is the reason for this document.  Refer to it regularly.  This form must be electronically signed by a parent or guardian of each student who wishes to participate in GHSA athletics.  

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION
• Headache, dizziness, poor balance, moves clumsily, reduced energy level/tiredness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sounds
• Fogginess of memory, difficulty concentrating, slowed thought processes, confused about surroundings or game assignments
• Unexplained changes in behavior and personality
• Loss of consciousness (NOTE: This does not occur in all concussion episodes.)

BY-LAW 2.68: GHSA CONCUSSION POLICY:  In accordance with Georgia law and national playing rules published by the National Federation of State High School Associations, any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the practice or contest and shall not return to play until an appropriate health care professional has determined that no concussion has occurred.  (NOTE: An appropriate health care professional may include, licensed physician (MD/DO) or another licensed individual under the supervision of a licensed physician, such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified athletic trainer who has received training in concussion evaluation and management.
a) No athlete is allowed to return to a game or a practice on the same day that a concussion (a) has been diagnosed, OR (b) cannot be ruled out.
b) Any athlete diagnosed with a concussion shall be cleared medically by an appropriate health care professional prior to resuming participation in any future practice or contest. The formulation of a gradual return to play protocol shall be a part of the medical clearance.
c) It is mandatory that every coach in each GHSA sport participate in a free, online course on concussion management prepared by the NFHS and available at www.nfhslearn.com at least every two years-beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
d) Each school will be responsible for monitoring the participation of its coaches in the concussion management course, and shall keep a record of those who participate.

GHSA By-Law 2.67 - Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity:
(a) Schools must follow the statewide policy for conducting practices and voluntary conditioning workouts (including during the summer) in all sports during times of extremely high heat and/or humidity that will be signed by each head coach at the beginning of each season and distributed to all players and their parents or guardians. The policy shall follow modified guidelines of the
American College of Sports Medicine in regard to:
(1) The scheduling of practices at various heat/humidity levels
(2) The ratio of workout time to time allotted for rest and hydration at various heat/humidity levels
(3) The heat/humidity levels that will result in practice being terminated
(b) A scientifically-approved instrument that measures the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature must be
utilized at each practice to ensure that the written policy is being followed properly. WBGT readings should be taken every hour, beginning 30 minutes before the beginning of practice.
(c) Practices are defined as: the period of time that a participant engages in a coach-supervised, school-approved sport or conditioning-related activity. Practices are timed from the time the players report to the practice or workout area until players leave that area. If a practice is interrupted for a weather-related reason, the “clock” on that practice will stop and will begin again when the practice resumes.
(d) Conditioning activities include such things as weight training, wind-sprints, timed runs for distance, etc., and may be a part of the practice time or included in “voluntary workouts.”
(e) A walk-through is not a part of the practice time regulation, and may last no longer than one hour. This activity may not include conditioning activities or contact drills. No protective equipment may be worn during a walk-through, and no full-speed drills may be held.
(f) Rest breaks may not be combined with any other type of activity and players must be given unlimited access to hydration. These breaks must be held in a “cool zone” where players are out of direct sunlight.
PENALTIES: Schools violating the heat policy shall be fined a minimum of $500.00 and a maximum of $1,000.00.

WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURE (WBGT) ACTIVITY GUIDELINES AND REST BREAK GUIDELINES

• Under 82.0  -  Normal Activities - Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 3 minutes each during the workout.
• 82.0 - 86.9  -  Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk players carefully. Provide
at least three separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 4 minutes each.
• 87.0 – 89 -  Maximum practice time is 2 hours. For Football: players are restricted to helmet, shoulder
pads, and shorts during practice, and all protective equipment must be removed during
conditioning activities. If the WBGT rises to this level during practice, players may continue
to work out wearing football pants without changing to shorts. For All Sports: Provide at least
four separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 4 minutes each.
• 90.0 - 92.0  -  Maximum practice time is 1 hour. For Football: no protective equipment may be worn during
practice, and there may be no conditioning activities. For All Sports: There must be 20 minutes
of rest breaks distributed throughout the hour of practice.
• Over 92.1  -  No outdoor workouts. Delay practice until a cooler WBGT level is reached.