OTTAWA June 8, 2018 – Just nine months after Parachute announced the first-ever Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, a growing number of Canada’s National Sport Organizations have in place sport concussion protocols harmonized with the guideline’s principles and best practices.

With support from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and in collaboration with the Department of Canadian Heritage – Sport Canada, Parachute has been working with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) to ensure sport concussion protocols are adopted or updated to align with the Canadian Guideline across Canada’s amateur sport community.

Parachute worked closely with concussion experts from across the country to better understand the most effective prevention, recognition, and management strategies for concussion, resulting in the July 28, 2017 release of the Canadian Guideline. The goal was that 20 National Sport Organizations would be able to join the project within a year but, as of today, 42 of the 56 National Sport Organizations funded by Sport Canada, including both winter and summer sports, have engaged in the project. Other National Sport Organizations are working toward adopting or updating their protocols.

As well, Parachute, in partnership with Ophea, worked with educators to develop concussion resources for schools, included a detailed Return-to-School Strategy. Parachute has also developed an accredited online CME course for medical professionals. The new CATT (Concussion Awareness Training Tool) Medical Professionals focuses on best-practice concussion assessment and management, and on when referral to specialized care might be necessary.

These efforts contribute to the ongoing, co-ordinated efforts of all partners, including federal, provincial and territorial governments, to harmonize concussion recognition and management, and underscores the critical link between safety in sport and health. It sets an example for all Canadian organizations who support children, youth, and athletes to practise healthy and safe physical activity, recreation and sport – from the playground to the highest levels of competition. All organizations and leaders in Canada at the national, regional, provincial and local level are encouraged to use the free concussion protocol template available at:

www.parachutecanada.org/concussion (English)
www.parachutecanada.org/commotion-cerebrale (Français)

More information

Members of the Parachute Concussion Expert Advisory Committee.

Learn more about the Concussion Protocol Harmonization Project.

Quick Facts

  • Concussions in sport are a recognized public health problem because of their frequency of occurrence and their potential short- and long-term consequences. These include cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms and, when left undetected, even death.
  • There are many important health and social benefits for children and youth participating in sport, recreation and physical activity. Concussions can be prevented and risks minimized for participants. If a concussion does occur, with timely recognition and management, the majority recover within two to four weeks.
  • The Government of Canada has invested $1.4 million to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to preventing, managing and raising awareness among Canadians about concussions.

Quotes

“Too many individuals experience concussions during sport and recreation activities, sometimes with tragic outcomes. Our goal is to reduce the incidence and severity of brain injuries among Canadians – especially youth. These new evidence-based protocols are important tools to support a safe return to daily life and sport after a concussion.”

– The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health

“Thanks to the leadership of Parachute Canada, coaches, teachers, parents and athletes will have access to tools to help them prevent, recognize and manage concussions at all levels of sport. I am proud of the efforts made by the sport community so far and I encourage all of us to keep moving forward on this important issue.”

– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

“We are grateful to the Public Health Agency of Canada for supporting the important work of ensuring there are harmonized, evidence-based protocols for concussion that focus on prevention, recognition and management strategies for amateur sports organizations across Canada. As these protocols continue to be established across the country for athletes, we also look forward to making these important tools available widely in our communities: for teammates, parents, coaches, officials, teachers, trainers, and health professionals.”

– Steve Podborski, O.C., Parachute President & CEO

Media contact:
Kelley Teahen, Parachute
(647) 776-5128 [office]
(416) 886-0950 [mobile]
media@parachutecanada.org

About Parachute

Parachute is a national Canadian charity dedicated to reducing the devastating impact of preventable injuries. Injury is the No. 1 killer of Canadians aged 1 to 44, where one child dies every nine hours. The financial toll is staggering, with injury costing the Canadian economy $27 billion a year. Through education and advocacy, Parachute works to save lives and create a Canada free of serious injuries. For more information, visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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