Medical Clearance Letter - Concussion Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport

Sep 16, 2026

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Medical Clearance Letter for athletes diagnosed with concussion, outlining conditions for medically cleared participation in activity categories ranging from symptom-limiting and light aerobic exercise to sport-specific drills, non-contact practice, and full-contact participation. Includes instructions for recurrence of symptoms, escalation to medical assessment before returning to full-contact or games, and management of new suspected concussion. Provides Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport strategy outlines with staged progression and guidance for student-athletes, parents, teachers, coaches, and medical professionals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

What the athlete is cleared for

Activity levels to check

If symptoms recur

Guidance after symptom resolution

Requirements for full-contact practice or game play

Additional concussion management

New suspected concussion after return

Other comments and signature

Return-to-Learn Strategy

Return-to-Sport Strategy

Staged progression and return to full-time school

Medical Clearance Letter Date: Athlete’s Name: To whom it may concern, Athletes who are diagnosed with a concussion should be managed according to the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, including the Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport Strategies (see page 2 of this letter) . Accordingly, the above athlete has been medically cleared to participate in the following activities as tolerated effective the date stated above (please check all that apply): Symptom-limiting activity (cognitive and physical activities that don’t provoke symptoms) Light aerobic activity (walking or stationary cycling at slow to medium pace. No resistance training) Sport-specific exercise (running or skating drills. No head impact activities) Non-contact practice (harder/more complex training drills. May start progressive resistance training and non-contact participation in [gym class-e.g. tennis](gym class-e.g. tennis), running, swimming) Full-contact practice (full participation in contact drills & scrimmages; full participation in gym class) Full game play What if symptoms recur? Any athlete who has been cleared for physical activities, gym class or noncontact practice, and who has a recurrence of symptoms, should immediately remove himself or herself from the activity and inform the teacher or coach. If the symptoms subside, the athlete may continue to participate in these activities as tolerated. Athletes who have been cleared for full contact practice or game play must be able to participate in fulltime school (or normal cognitive activity) as well as high intensity resistance and endurance exercise (including non-contact practice) without symptom recurrence. Any athlete who has been cleared for full-contact practice or full game play and has a recurrence of symptoms, should immediately remove himself or herself from play, inform their teacher or coach, and undergo medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to full-contact practice or games. Any athlete who returns to practices or games and sustains a new suspected concussion should be managed according to the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport. Other Comments: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Thank-you very much in advance for your understanding. Yours Sincerely, Signature/print M. D. / N. P. (circle appropriate designation) We recommend that this document be provided to the athlete without charge. The initial 24-48 hours post-injury, students recovering from concussion should engage in a period of relative rest to minimize academic and social disruptions during the RTL progression. This consists of an early return to activities of daily living, provided that concussion symptoms are no more than mildly and briefly increased (i.e., an increase of no more than 2 points on a 0–10-point scale for less than an hour) . Return-to-Learn Strategy The following is an outline of the Return-to‐Learn Strategy that should be used to help student-athletes, parents, and teachers to partner in allowing the athlete to make a gradual return to school activities. Depending on the severity and type of the symptoms present, student-athletes will progress through the following stages at different rates. If the student-athlete experiences new or worsening symptoms at any stage, they should go back to the previous stage. Return-to-Sport Strategy The following is an outline of the Return-to‐Sport Strategy that should be used to help athletes, coaches, trainers, and medical professionals to partner in allowing the athlete to make a gradual return to sport activities. Activities should be tailored to create a sport-specific strategy that helps the athlete return to their respective sport. If the athlete experiences new or worsening symptoms at any stage, they should go back to the previ

FAQs

What activities can a medically cleared concussion athlete participate in?

The letter provides selectable activity levels, including symptom-limiting activities, light aerobic activity, sport-specific exercise, non-contact practice, full-contact practice, and full game play, based on tolerability and instructions in the document.

What should an athlete do if concussion symptoms recur?

Remove immediately from the activity and inform the teacher or coach. If symptoms subside, the athlete may continue as tolerated; for full-contact practice or game play, medical assessment is required before returning.

How do the Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport strategies work?

Both strategies use a staged progression that helps the athlete gradually return to school activities or sport activities. If new or worsening symptoms occur at any stage, the athlete returns to the previous stage.

Sep 16, 2026

Upload by Aurora