Recent studies have suggested that regular, daily activities during the initial days of a concussion may actually be safe, not worsen symptoms and even speed up recovery.

Playing too Soon After a Concussion: What's the Problem? A majority of people who have sustained a concussion will need to be sidelined for at least seven to 10 days, but in some cases, an individual could take several weeks to heal.

Continuing to play if you have an injury can make that injury worse. A small stress fracture that might have healed quickly can grow into a more serious, more painful fracture that will take longer to heal. Returning to play too soon after a concussion increases your risk of serious brain injury.

It is a five-step process without any set timeline for a full return from a concussion: Rest and recovery: Until a player returns to the "baseline level of signs and symptoms and neurological examination," only limited stretching and balance activities are recommended.

Athletics consequences. Student-athletes who experience post-concussion syndrome will likely miss games and practices over a prolonged period. Those who return to play while symptomatic and sustain an additional injury are at risk of magnified neurologic consequences.

Once post-injury neurocognitive test results are favorable in comparison to the baseline and the symptoms have resolved, then the athlete can resume play. Grade 3 We recommend that athletes wait at least 10 days before they participate in any activity that can result in head trauma.