Sanctioning bodies across sports have been struggling to implement head injury protocols that both protect their players and minimize the disruption to games and competitions. The result has been a hodgepodge of rules and regulations varying from sport to sport, level to level, country to country.

Now, a Canadian concussion expert is lobbying for a standard set of guidelines for all young athletes with potential head injuries throughout his province, Manitoba. Dr. Michael Ellis, medical director of the Pan Am Concussion Program, wants all of Manitoba’s sporting groups, organizations, and school divisions to offer the same quality of care to their athletes after hits to the head. He says the majority of the patients he sees (his clinic only treats ages 19 and under) are the result of hockey, soccer, and football injuries and that having an across-the-board standard of care would better protect the players.

The concept is an interesting one in that it would keep youth organizations and leagues honest and define the roles of coaches, parents, and medical professionals in such incidents. But by the same token, baseball is very different to soccer is very different to football is very difference to basketball. A one-size-fits-all approach to sideline care might not be practical. The success or failure of the idea, should it come to fruition, could be a powerful precedent for other governing bodies.

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.