ABSTRACT
The decision of returning an athlete to competition following a cerebral concussion is complex and dynamic. A premature return to play (RTP) can result in catastrophic injury that may terminate the career or the life of the athlete. Some physicians have a great deal of training and experience in the diagnosis and management of sports-related concussion while many do not. Given the importance and the dynamic nature of the RTP decision it is imperative that physicians charged with the decision-making role seek training and consultation when returning an athlete to sport. The team itself is an important element in the RTP decision. Although neuropsychological approaches and instruments have long been used in the assessment of mild traumatic brain injury, it is only recently that neuropsychological data have been used in the RTP decision. The player is the central figure in any RTP decision yet very little attention has been focused on player variables in the RTP decision.
