Lake Washington High School

Lake Washington High School's Athletic Training Policies and Procedures are reviewed yearly.  
 

The following document is the Athletic Training Program's policies and procedures. These policies have been reviewed and signed off by the Administration of Lake Washington High School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Play Protocol

Doctor Visits:
 

If a student-athlete is evaluated by a physician or other qualified medical provider for an injury or medical condition, regardless of whether the visit was initiated by the parent/guardian, coach, or Athletic Trainer, written medical clearance must be provided before the athlete may return to athletic participation.
 

Medical clearance from the provider returns the student-athlete to the care of the school Athletic Trainer, who will determine readiness for full return to sport based on the athlete’s condition, functional abilities, and any restrictions or recommendations provided by the medical provider.

Student-athletes who have been withheld from participation for several days due to injury may be required to complete a return-to-play progression established by the Athletic Trainer. The athlete must demonstrate the physical and functional skills necessary for their sport and show confidence and readiness to participate safely.
 

In most cases, the student-athlete will be required to successfully complete at least one full practice before returning to competition.

WIAA Rules on returning from a physician's visit. All visits to a medical doctor must provide a note to be eligible to participate in sport.
 

18.4.4 WIAA Handbook
To resume participation following medical care by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination and/or a dentist (for dental injury) or podiatric physician (for a foot and/or ankle injury), a participating student must present to the school officials a written release from a medical authority licensed to perform physical examinations a listed in Rule 18.4.2 and/or a dentist or podiatric physician as applicable.

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Concussions:

A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time.

A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

Licensed Health Care Providers acknowledged by the WIAA:

 

• Medical Doctors (MD)   

• Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

• Physicians Assistant (PA)

• Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers (LAT, ATC)

Regardless of the severity of the injury, an athlete who displays the signs and symptoms of a concussion – Return to Play Criteria must and will be followed strictly:

Once the Athletic Trainer has deemed that the student-athlete has a concussion, the parents/guardians will be notified by the Athletic Trainer, and the student-athlete will bring home an informational packet for the parents regarding concussions and concussion care. If the student-athlete can not provide the document to the parents/guardians, one will be emailed to them.

 

All athletes will need to be cleared by a health care provider once all symptoms have resolved. The health care provider will then provide a return-to-play clearance letter releasing them back to the Athletic Trainer's care.

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Even when medical clearance has been provided, the student-athlete must still demonstrate the functional ability, confidence, and readiness necessary to safely return to their sport.
 

If the Athletic Trainer identifies ongoing symptoms, functional limitations, apprehension, or other concerns during the return-to-play process, participation may be temporarily restricted while those concerns are addressed. The Athletic Trainer will communicate with the student-athlete, parent/guardian, and, when appropriate, the treating provider or team physician to determine the safest and most appropriate next steps.
 

Additional evaluation, rehabilitation, testing, or a gradual return-to-play progression may be recommended before the athlete resumes full participation.

 

 

Sports that will undergo concussion baseline testing (currently IMPACT Testing) are the following sports:

- Football

- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Softball/Slowpitch
- Divers

- Gymnastics

- Basketball

- Wrestling

- Baseball

- Pole Vault (Track)

 

RETURN TO LEARN

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For student-athletes recovering from a concussion, academic recovery is the priority. The goal is to safely return the student to their normal school routine while gradually reducing any concussion-related academic accommodations as symptoms improve.
 

Return-to-Learn and the early stages of Return-to-Play may occur at the same time when medically appropriate. However, a student-athlete should successfully return to their regular academic activities without concussion-related accommodations or supports before completing the Return-to-Play protocol and returning to unrestricted athletic participation.
 

If a student continues to require significant academic accommodations because of concussion symptoms, their athletic progression may be modified or held until appropriate academic and medical progress has been demonstrated.

Simply stated: Return to the classroom comes before a full return to competition

The following is Lake Washington's Return-to-Play Guidelines for concussed Student-Athletes:
 
The athlete must be symptom-free for 24 hours without pain medication to move past Day 1 on the following return-to-play protocol.

The athlete must remain symptom-free in order to move on to the next stage, and may only move one stage per 24 hours.

o   Stage 1: 24 hours asymptomatic

o   Stage 2: – supervised by Athletic Trainer
                2A and 2B stages, two separate stages. Allows for light cardio activity even with symptoms. These activities are limited to walking
                and jogging. If symptoms get worse, the athlete is asked to stop

o   Stage 3: Begin sport-specific exercises/drill/exertional exercise – High aerobic activity (non-contact)

o   Stage 4: Non-contact training drills/practice with the team

o   Stage 5: Full contact practice

o   Stage 6: Competition – Full Return to Play

If the athlete displays symptoms at any time during the six-stage gradual return to play, they will return to the previous step or more if deemed necessary.