Sport-Related Concussion May Heal Faster In Adolescents Who Perform Aerobic Exercise

October 21, 2021, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

It was once believed that adolescents recovering from sport related concussion should rest quietly to reduce the chances of a lengthy recovery. This recommendation seems to be changing.

A new study that was based on research from 2019 was  published in the September 30^th edition of The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health examined the relationship between recovery and aerobic exercise and determined that engaging in aerobic activity within 10 days of getting injured can speed recovery and reduce protracted symptom presentation.

The study found that strict physical rest until symptom resolution is not an acceptable treatment protocol for sport-related concussion in adolescents. The study findings showed that:

Our findings show that to accelerate recovery and reduce the risk of delayed recovery, physicians should not only permit, but they should consider prescribing sub-symptom threshold physical activity early after sport-related concussion."

John J. Leddy, MD, Study First Author and Clinical Professor of Orthopedics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo

The lead researchers work has played a key role in the development of new guidelines for return to play protocols post-concussion. The treatment protocols were based on non-pharmacological methods used in cardiac patient recovery. They emphasize prescribed exercise that encourages aerobic activity at specific safe thresholds.

The study found that the participants who did prescribed aerobic exercise recovered in a median time of 14 days, while those who did no aerobic exercise took 19 days to recover.

As always, if you or a loved one suffers concussion you should speak with your physician and discuss your recovery plan with them.

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