Return to Play in Sport

Study Title: Return-to-Play in Sport: A Decision-Based Model
Authors: DW Creighton, I Shrier, R Shultz, WH Meeuwisse & GO Matheson
Journal: Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
Date: September 2010

Summary:

• For those of you involved in sport medicine, here is an excellent example of scientific insight into the factors that may influence and determine Return to Play decision making.  This paper, authored by individuals at Stanford University, McGill University and the University of Calgary, details the all important, multifactorial decision making process of allowing an athlete to return to “full participation in sport without restriction”.  Through a literature synthesis, a model that included the Evaluation of Health Status, Evaluation of Participation Risk, and Decision Modification was proposed.  While the authors noted that the ability to quantify several decision elements may be limited, they suggested that decision modification must only be considered once participation risk is determined.

• Although seemingly short and straightforward, this paper provides comprehensive insight into the variables that must be considered by those in a priviledged position to determine whether or not an athlete is permitted, let alone mentally and/or physically capable of, returning to sport.

Complete resolution of symptoms "cannot be considered in isolation” when determining return to play

Creighton DW, Shrier I, Shultz R, Meeuwisse WH & Matheson GO. (2010). Return-to-play in sport: A decision-based model. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 20(5); 379-385