Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 641 - Public Health Department
Chapter 54 - Concussion or Other Brain Injury Return-to-play Protocol
Rule 641-54.3 - Return-to-play Protocol

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 641-54.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

The following return-to-play step-wise process shall begin when the student who has been removed from participation in any extracurricular interscholastic activity governed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is no longer showing signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury for a minimum of 24 hours and has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care provider to return to or commence such participation.

(1) Return-to-play process. Each step shall take a minimum of 24 hours.

a. If the student shows signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury at any step of the return-to-play protocol, the student must stop the activity and the student's licensed health care provider and parent or guardian shall be contacted.

b. If the student shows signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury during this process, an additional 24-hour period of rest shall take place. After the 24-hour period of rest, the student shall drop back to the previous level when the student showed no signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury and begin the progression again.

(2) Return-to-play steps.

Step 1

Athlete has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care provider to begin the return-to-play process, AND the athlete is back to regular activities, including school, without experiencing any concussion signs, symptoms, or behaviors for a minimum of 24 hours.

Step 2

Low impact, light aerobic exercise. Walking or stationary cycling at slow to medium pace. No resistance/weight training.

Step 3

Basic exercise, such as running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment.

Step 4

Noncontact, sport-specific training drills (dribbling, ball handling, batting, fielding, running drills) in full equipment. Resistance/weight training may begin.

Step 5

Full contact practice and participation in normal training activities.

Step 6

Contest participation.

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