Apr 16, 2010 8:36:58 AM

The NCAA Wrestling Committee is recommending a change to an injury rule that would better protect competitors who show signs of a concussion.

The proposed change is to Rule 6.2, which was suggested to read: "If a contestant is rendered unconscious, or shows signs of a concussion or spinal injury, that wrestler shall not be permitted to continue in the match or return to competition without approval of a physician or certified athletic trainer."

The change adds the concussion symptoms to the list of injuries that require medical attention and positions athletic trainers and physicians as the central authority for that oversight.

"Committee members thought it would be prudent to limit the decision-making responsibility for whether a student-athlete may continue wrestling after showing signs of a concussion to a physician or certified athletic trainer," said committee chair Brad Traviolia, who is also the deputy commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.

Though this is the committee's off-year for making changes to the rules book, a lengthy discussion centering on concussions prompted the committee to take action. Rules changes related to health and safety are permitted in off-years.

The proposal must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which will meet via conference call June 2.

In January, PROP strongly endorsed efforts by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports to manage concussion issues more effectively. PROP instructed each rules committee to thoroughly review its policies in the areas of stopping play for injuries and to consider instituting rules that may further prevent head injuries.

The Football Rules Committee and Soccer Rules Committee took similar actions earlier this year.