NFHS Return-to-Play Guidelines & Recovery 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scenario represents the FINAL step of the NFHS return-to-play protocol?
- Sport-specific aerobic exercise
- Non-contact drills only
- Full-contact practice after medical clearance (Correct answer)
- Return to competition without clearance
Correct answer: Full-contact practice after medical clearance
Step 6, full-contact practice after medical clearance, is the final step before returning to normal game competition.
Question 2: A football player is asymptomatic and cleared at Step 5. What does Step 5 involve?
- Light jogging only
- Full-contact live-game play
- Full-contact practice after medical clearance (Correct answer)
- Non-contact training drills
Correct answer: Full-contact practice after medical clearance
Step 5 is full-contact practice, which requires prior medical clearance and precedes return to competition.
Question 3: What is the MINIMUM total time required to complete all six return-to-play steps if the athlete is symptom-free throughout?
- 3 days
- 5 days (Correct answer)
- 7 days
- 14 days
Correct answer: 5 days
Since each step takes at least one day and there are five progressions after the initial rest, a minimum of five days is required.
Question 4: Which cognitive activities should be restricted during the early rest phase of concussion recovery?
- Light reading and short homework sessions
- Texting, video games, and extended screen time (Correct answer)
- Walking outdoors in quiet areas
- Listening to calm music
Correct answer: Texting, video games, and extended screen time
High-demand cognitive activities like video games and extended screen time increase brain metabolic load and can worsen symptoms.
Question 5: Who is responsible for enforcing the return-to-play protocol in a school athletic setting?
- The student-athlete's parents only
- The coaching staff only
- All stakeholders including coaches, parents, and healthcare professionals (Correct answer)
- The state athletic association alone
Correct answer: All stakeholders including coaches, parents, and healthcare professionals
NFHS emphasizes a team approach where coaches, parents, athletes, and healthcare professionals all share responsibility.
Question 6: An athlete reports that their headache disappears after taking ibuprofen. Should they be cleared for return-to-play?
- Yes, because they are currently symptom-free
- No, because masking symptoms with medication does not equal true recovery (Correct answer)
- Yes, if a coach confirms they look fine
- No, but they may skip to Step 4 immediately
Correct answer: No, because masking symptoms with medication does not equal true recovery
Symptom relief from medication does not indicate neurological recovery; the athlete must be symptom-free without medication.
Question 7: Which type of exercise is appropriate during Step 3 of the return-to-play protocol?
- Full-contact scrimmage
- Sport-specific aerobic exercise (Correct answer)
- Resistance weight training
- Sprinting at maximum effort
Correct answer: Sport-specific aerobic exercise
Step 3 involves sport-specific aerobic exercise such as skating drills or running, but with no contact or head impact risk.
NFHS Return-to-Play Guidelines & Recovery 3
Which scenario represents the FINAL step of the NFHS return-to-play protocol?