To advise a patient about playing sports safely, I’d emphasise wearing appropriate protective equipment, maintaining good physical conditioning, and ensuring you understand and abide by the rules of your sport. Make sure you have a pre‑participation medical examination to screen for any underlying conditions, and always warm up, stay well‑hydrated, and take rest days to reduce the risk of overuse injuries. If you experience symptoms like dizziness, headaches, confusion or balance problems after a hit or fall, stop playing and seek medical evaluation — returning too soon after a concussion can worsen brain injury and delay recovery.
Questions I would ask include:
Have you had a pre‑season medical check‑up, and were you cleared to play?
Do you have any history of concussion or other significant injuries?
Do you have access to coaches and staff who know how to recognise and manage concussions?