Open AccessThe Role of Aerobic Exercise in Reducing Persistent Sport-related Concussion Symptoms
Author(s) -
David R. Howell,
J. Andrew Taylor,
Can Ozan Tan,
Rhonda Orr,
William P. Meehan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medicine and science in sports and exercise
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.703
H-Index - 224
eISSN - 1530-0315
pISSN - 0195-9131
DOI - 10.1249/mss.0000000000001829
Subject(s) - concussion , aerobic exercise , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , rehabilitation , psychology , injury prevention , poison control , medical emergency
Aerobic exercise has received increasing attention in the scientific literature as a component of management for individuals who sustain a concussion. Because exercise training has been reported to reduce symptoms and improve function for those experiencing persistent postconcussion symptoms, it represents a potentially useful and clinically pragmatic rehabilitation technique. However, the specific exercise parameters that best facilitate recovery from concussion remain poorly defined and unclear. This review will provide a summary of the current understanding of the role of subsymptom exercise to improve outcomes after a concussion and will describe the exercise parameters that appear to be important. The latter will take into account the three pillars of exercise dose-frequency, duration, and intensity-to examine what is currently known. In addition, we identify important gaps in our knowledge of exercise as a treatment for those who develop persistent symptoms of concussion.