Practical 2026 Concussion Updates Parents and Coaches Must Know

If your child plays sport, concussion isn’t a maybe. It’s a when.

The good news is that concussion management has improved significantly over the past few years. The old school advice of “just rest in a dark room for a week” is outdated. The approach in 2026 is smarter, more structured and backed by better research.

Here’s what parents and coaches need to understand right now.

1. Strict Rest Is Out. Guided Recovery Is In.

One of the biggest shifts in concussion care is the move away from prolonged complete rest.

Current best practice, including the AIS Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement, recommends a short period of relative rest in the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, light, symptom guided activity is encouraged rather than total shutdown.

That means:

• Light walking is often okay

• Gentle school re engagement is usually beneficial

• Complete isolation is rarely helpful

We now know that controlled, gradual activity can actually help recovery when done properly.

You can read the full AIS position statement here:
https://www.ais.gov.au/position_statements/concussion

2. Recognise and Remove Is Non Negotiable

If there is any suspicion of concussion, the athlete must come off immediately.

No finishing the quarter.
No “just one more rotation.”
No waiting to see if it settles.

Signs can include:

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Dizziness or balance issues

• Confusion or looking dazed

• Blurred vision

• Behaviour that seems off

Loss of consciousness is not required for a concussion diagnosis.

At Pivot, we always tell parents and coaches the same thing: when in doubt, sit them out.

3. Return to School Comes Before Return to Sport

A big focus in current concussion management is return to learn.

Kids should successfully return to school before progressing to full contact sport. This may involve:

• Reduced workload initially

• Extra time for assessments

• Breaks during the day

• Temporary modification of screen exposure

The brain needs cognitive tolerance before we load it physically.

4. The Stepwise Return to Sport Is Structured for a Reason

The AIS protocol outlines a staged return to sport progression. Each stage increases load gradually and should only progress if symptoms do not worsen.

In simple terms, the stages move from:

1. Light aerobic activity

2. Sport specific movement

3. Non contact training

4. Controlled contact

5. Full competition

Each stage should take at least 24 hours, and if symptoms flare, you step back.

This is where professional guidance matters. Rushing this process increases risk of prolonged symptoms and repeat injury.

5. Baseline Testing Is Helpful, But Not a Free Pass

Baseline concussion testing can be useful, especially for youth athletes in contact sports. It gives us pre injury cognitive data to compare against after a head knock.

But it does not:

• Prevent concussion

• Replace medical assessment

• Allow faster return to play

It is one piece of the bigger picture.

6. Most Concussions Recover Well With Proper Management

This is important for parents to hear.

The vast majority of young athletes recover fully when concussion is managed correctly. Problems usually arise when:

• The athlete keeps playing after a hit

• Symptoms are ignored

• Return to sport is rushed

• There is no structured medical follow up

Early assessment and guided rehab make a significant difference.

How We Manage Concussion at Pivot Sports Performance

At our Concussion Centre in Bundoora, we follow current evidence based guidelines, including the AIS framework.

Our process includes:

• Detailed clinical assessment

• Symptom monitoring

• Individualised return to learn planning

• Graduated return to sport programming

• Exercise based concussion rehabilitation where appropriate

• Communication with schools and clubs when needed

We work closely with families to make sure no one feels unsure about the next step.

If you want to understand more about how we manage concussion, you can visit our Concussion Centre page here:
https://www.pivotsportsperformance.com.au/concussion-centre

Final Takeaway for Parents and Coaches

Concussion management in 2026 is clearer than it has ever been:

Remove early.
Assess properly.
Return gradually.
Communicate clearly.

Young brains are resilient, but they deserve structured care.

If you are unsure whether your child’s head knock needs assessment, it is always safer to have it checked.