Sports Medicine, Counseling About Risk of Contact/Collision Sports

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that family physicians understand and communicate with patients the risks associated with contact/collision sports, including gender-based differences. Contact and collision sports include any form of activity in which athletes collide with other athletes, inanimate objects, or the ground increasing the risk of bodily injury. Family physicians should inform patients about potential risks, including concussions, and communicate strategies to manage and minimize risk. To promote injury prevention, physicians should emphasize the importance of appropriate protective equipment, proper training, and sport-specific techniques that reduce the likelihood and severity of injury.

Physicians should counsel their patients and families on appropriate, individualized return to play protocol to ensure a safe and healthy recovery and avoid further injury. This should be done in collaboration with the athlete, athlete’s coach and parents/caregivers to ensure that both physical and psychological impacts are considered to support overall well-being, facilitates monitoring for recurrent or worsening symptoms, and promotes long-term health. (1990) (April 2026 BOD)