Preventing Sports-Related Concussions: A Toronto Guide for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches

Concussions 101: What They Are—and What They Are Not

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a blow to the head, face, neck, or body that transmits force to the head. It changes how the brain works, usually temporarily. Most concussions do not show up on standard imaging like X-rays or CT scans; those tests rule out more serious injuries, not concussion itself.

Common symptoms can appear immediately or within 24–48 hours. They often include:

• Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems
• Cognitive: confusion, feeling “foggy,” slowed thinking, trouble concentrating or remembering
• Emotional: irritability, sadness, anxiety
• Sleep: difficulty falling asleep, sleeping more or less than usual

Every concussion is different. No two athletes will have the same symptom pattern or recovery speed, and children and teens may take longer to recover than adults.

Why Prevention Matters for Every Family and Team

Concussions can affect school performance, emotional wellbeing, sleep, and readiness to play. Returning too soon increases the risk of a second injury, which is associated with worse symptoms and longer recovery. In youth sports, creating a culture that rewards honest reporting, safe techniques, and respect for rules often pays the biggest dividends.

Ontario’s Rowan’s Law requires sports organizations and schools to have concussion awareness, removal-from-sport, and return-to-sport protocols. Families, athletes, and coaches are asked to read and acknowledge concussion safety resources each year—a powerful reminder that prevention is a shared responsibility.

Understanding Risk: Where and Why Concussions Happen

Concussions can occur in any sport, but risk is higher in:

• Body-contact and collision sports: hockey, football, rugby, lacrosse
• Sports with falls or high-speed movement: figure skating, skiing/snowboarding, cycling, mountain biking
• Ball sports with aerial play: soccer and basketball

Risk increases with:

• Previous concussion
• High-intensity games over training
• Fatigue, dehydration, and poor sleep
• Aggressive play and rule non-compliance
• Improperly fitted or damaged equipment

Prevention is never about eliminating fun or competitiveness; it’s about smarter preparation, safer habits, and quicker recognition.

The Prevention Playbook: What Works Best

1) Build a Safety-First Culture

• Normalize reporting: Athletes should feel safe to speak up without fear of losing playing time.
• Coach leadership: Reward safe play and full effort—never dangerous techniques.
• Follow Rowan’s Law protocols: Annual review and acknowledgement of concussion resources for athletes and parents.

2) Technique and Training Matter

• Head-up play: In hockey and football, keeping the head up and leading with the body—not the head—reduces risk.
• No hits to the head: Coaches should consistently reinforce and model this, with appropriate consequences.
• Safe falling: In skating and skiing, practice falling techniques to avoid head-first contact.
• Soccer heading: Leagues often limit heading volume in younger athletes; coaches should follow age-specific guidelines.

3) Equipment: Important, with Realistic Expectations

• Helmets: Use sport-specific helmets that meet approved standards and replace them after significant impact or per the manufacturer’s timeline. A helmet reduces risk of skull fractures and severe head injuries, but no helmet can prevent concussions entirely.
• Mouthguards: Strongly recommended for dental/jaw protection. Evidence is mixed for concussion prevention, but they remain a smart, affordable safety measure.
• Fit is everything: Poorly fitted gear fails. Work with certified fitters and reassess fit after growth spurts.

4) Strength, Conditioning, and Vision

• Neck strength and control: Building neck strength may reduce head acceleration during impacts. Include isometric holds and controlled movement patterns.
• Core and balance: Good postural control supports safer movement in contact and at speed.
• Vision training: Tracking and peripheral awareness drills can improve reaction time and positioning.

These are low-risk, high-benefit routines that integrate easily into pre-season and in-season training.

5) Manage Workload, Sleep, and Hydration

• Gradual progression: Avoid sudden spikes in contact intensity or training load.
• Sleep first: Sleep is foundational to reaction time, mood, and resilience.
• Fuel and fluids: Dehydration and low energy availability increase fatigue and mistakes late in games.

6) Safer Environments

• Maintain equipment and playing surfaces: Regular inspections reduce falls and collisions.
• Weather and light: Poor visibility increases risk; adjust training times as needed.

7) Sideline Readiness and Baseline Testing

• Baseline screening: Optional tools (balance, symptom scales, simple cognitive tasks) can help compare post-injury status later. They do not diagnose concussion and should never be the sole decision-maker.
• Sideline plan: Every team should have a known process—who checks the athlete, how to contact a parent, where to go if emergency signs appear.

When You Suspect a Concussion: What to Do Now

1. Remove from play immediately. There is no same-day return to sport after a suspected concussion.
2. Check for red flags and call 911 or go to the emergency department if any are present:
   • Worsening, severe headache
   • Repeated vomiting
   • Seizure or convulsions
   • Neck pain or significant neck tenderness
   • Weakness, numbness, or tingling in arms or legs
   • Slurred speech, increasing confusion, inability to wake
   • One pupil larger than the other
   • Unusual behavior or agitation
   • Loss of consciousness (even briefly), especially if followed by concerning symptoms
3. In the first 24–48 hours:
   • Relative rest: Light activity around the home is okay; avoid activities that significantly worsen symptoms.
   • Reduce screen time if it provokes symptoms, especially in the first day.
   • Use over-the-counter pain relief only if recommended by a clinician; avoid alcohol and recreational substances.
4. Early, gradual return:
   • After 24–48 hours, gentle, sub-symptom aerobic activity (like walking) is often helpful.
   • Follow a stepwise return-to-learn before return-to-sport.

Note: Concussion rarely needs emergent imaging. CT scans or MRIs are used to rule out more serious injury when red flags are present. Decisions follow established rules (like the Canadian CT Head Rule for adults) and clinical judgment.

Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport: A Canadian Approach

Most athletes recover within a few weeks. Children and teens may take longer and should be managed more conservatively. A typical progression follows Parachute Canada and Rowan’s Law-informed steps.

If symptoms return, step back to the previous level and try again after 24 hours. At Care&, Nurse Practitioners oversee this progression with clear documentation in the Care& app—so athletes, parents, coaches, and schools are aligned.

Special Considerations: Kids, Teens, and Adults

• Children and adolescents: Brains are still developing; be more cautious with timelines. School support is essential; we provide school notes outlining accommodations.
• Women and girls: Some research suggests differences in symptom patterns and recovery timelines. Individualized care and cycle-aware symptom tracking (supported in our app’s cycle tracking) can help.
• Pre-existing conditions: Migraine, anxiety, ADHD, sleep disorders, and learning differences may influence symptoms or recovery. Care& offers integrated support that can include anxiety treatment, sleep strategies, and nutrition counseling.
• Persistent symptoms: If symptoms last more than four weeks, targeted therapies (vestibular/vision therapy, physiotherapy, headache management) can help. We coordinate referrals and ongoing care.

How Care& Supports Athletes and Families in Toronto

Athletes often need multiple check-ins over a few weeks. That’s hard to do when you’re waiting in line at a walk in clinic. Care& is appointment-based, not a walk-in clinic, and we require pre-booking. Our Nurse Practitioner-led family practice functions as a practical alternative to traditional walk-in clinics and an alternative to a family doctor search for those waiting to find family doctors accepting new patients.

If you’re searching online for a “medical clinic near me” in midtown, our locations are designed for easy access:

• Care& Lawrence Park (often searched as a lawrence park medical clinic) at Yonge and Lawrence
• Care& Yorkville (you may even see it misspelled as yorkcille medical clinic in searches) near Bay and Bloor

Care& typically offers same or next-day availability for urgent concerns at one of our locations. While we don’t guarantee same-day care, our scheduling model reduces wait and helps you start recovery sooner. If your situation is life-threatening or you notice red flag symptoms, call 911 or go directly to the emergency department.

Note: We are a private, appointment-based medical clinic. All services, including lab sample collection, require pre-booking.

A Practical Toolkit for Coaches and Parents

Navigating Care in Toronto: Making Informed Choices

For suspected concussion without red flags:

• Many families search “walk in clinic near me” or “family doctor near me” and encounter long waits. Care& provides pre-booked, on-time assessments with Nurse Practitioners who understand sport and school needs.
• If you’re between providers or struggling to find family doctors accepting new patients, Care& offers a membership model that functions as a dependable, ongoing primary care home.
• If you manage a sports club, school, or company team, our corporate health services can include education, baseline screening programs, and rapid-access pathways—practical employee healthcare solutions that strengthen workplace wellness and team safety.

Coaches and athletic directors can contact Care& to explore streamlined pathways for athletes, including telehealth services for periodic check-ins, coordinated referrals for vestibular therapy or imaging, and clear documentation for return-to-play decisions.

If you’ve been typing “mmedical clinics” or “medical clinic near me” into your browser at 10 pm after a game, consider a more seamless approach. At Care&, you can book a virtual appointment, access telemedicine follow-ups, and keep your documents in the app. It’s comprehensive care similar to what people expect from a family doctor, delivered by experienced Nurse Practitioners in Toronto.

Bringing It All Together

Concussions are common, but many are preventable—and most recover well with timely recognition and a thoughtful plan. Safety culture, sound technique, appropriate equipment, and a clear action plan make the biggest difference. When injuries do occur, quick removal from play, early assessment, and stepwise return-to-learn and return-to-sport keep athletes safe without sidelining them longer than necessary.

If you’re looking for an alternative to walk-in clinics—one that offers unrushed care, minimal waiting, and continuity—Care& provides appointment-based, Nurse Practitioner-led support at our Yorkville and Lawrence Park locations, as well as by phone and video. Our unlimited appointments model means you never need to choose between “toughing it out” and getting advice.

FAQ: Concussion Prevention and Care in Toronto