Post-acute Structured Exercise Following Sport Concussion: a Randomized Controlled Study

A number of physical, cognitive, somatic, and emotional symptoms commonly occur following sports-related concussion. The most recent Concussion in Sport Consensus Statement recommends an initial period of rest (24-48 hours), followed by more activity - gradual and progressive - while staying below their cognitive and physical symptom-exacerbation thresholds. While structured exercise is advised post-injury, the appropriate intensity, frequency, and duration of activity remains unclear. Furthermore, there is also evidence that too much physical activity may be related to worse outcomes, which necessitates the investigation on the appropriate prescription of exercise following concussion.

Early work identified the potential benefit of exercise in those with persistent symptoms after concussion. However, it is important to recognize that exercise must be structured and tailored as it has been found that athletes engaging in high levels of activity post-injury were associated with greater symptom burden and poorer cognitive abilities. Collectively, these findings further support the potential benefit of personalized, prescribed exercise post-concussion.

Additional evidence in support of sub-acute and acute exercise interventions following neurological insult exists for other conditions of the central nervous system, such as low back pain, whiplash, and stroke. For example, research suggests that bed rest may actually delay recovery from acute low back pain, and recommendations to resume regular activities as soon as possible following injury result in faster recovery times, less chronic disability, and fewer recurrent problems. While rest and collar restraint were previously the standard mode of treatment for whiplash, recent evidence suggests that early mobilization and exercise compared to more traditional rest strategies. In terms of stroke, it has been shown that mobilization within 24 hours of this type of injury can expedite recovery while also inducing the risk of complications.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a structured, standardized, subacute AE intervention in adolescents after SRC, on time to recovery compared to usual care. This study will provide meaningful information regarding the utility of AE intervention after concussion. Findings from these works may inform future usual care procedures post-injury, potentially providing the first known treatment to improve recovery after concussion.