Returning to the Classroom Following Sport-Related Concussion: Perspectives of College Student Athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine student athletes' perspectives regarding return to learn following sport-related concussion. Data were collected through an online survey from student athletes; a subset of whom had a history of concussion. Student athletes who reported receiving education regarding the effects of concussion on classroom performance were more likely to report a concussion and receive accommodations. Also, student athletes experiencing specific symptoms reported certain accommodations to be more or less beneficial with returning to the classroom following concussion. However, the presence of a return to learn policy at colleges did not improve the odds that student athletes received education on the effects of concussion on academic performance or improve concussion reporting or receiving accommodations while recovering from symptoms of concussion. Returning to the classroom prior to symptom resolution following concussion can have adverse effects on symptom recovery, learning, grades, and ultimately the livelihood of the student athletes. Colleges need to provide education specifically on the effects of concussion on classroom performance to increase the odds of student athletes reporting a suspected concussion to a school official. Student athletes who report a concussion are also more likely to receive accommodations when returning to the classroom that will enhance recovery without exacerbating symptoms.