Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study

Objective The utility of structured exercise for rehabilitation purposes early in the postacute phase (ie, beyond the initial 24–48 hours of advised rest) following sport-related concussion (SRC) remains largely unexplored. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a standardised aerobic e...

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Main Authors: Rachel Micay, Doug Richards, Michael G Hutchison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2018-12-01
Series:BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Online Access:https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000404.full
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author Rachel Micay
Doug Richards
Michael G Hutchison
author_facet Rachel Micay
Doug Richards
Michael G Hutchison
author_sort Rachel Micay
collection DOAJ
description Objective The utility of structured exercise for rehabilitation purposes early in the postacute phase (ie, beyond the initial 24–48 hours of advised rest) following sport-related concussion (SRC) remains largely unexplored. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a standardised aerobic exercise (AE) intervention in the postacute stage of SRC recovery in a sample of adolescent students with SRC compared with usual care.Methods Symptomatic adolescents with SRC were randomised to one of two groups: Aerobic Exercise (n=8) or Usual Care (n=7). The AE intervention, beginning on day 6 postinjury, comprised eight sessions with progressive increases in intensity and duration on a cycle ergometer. Usual care consisted of rest followed by physician-advised progressions in activity levels in an unsupervised setting. All participants were evaluated by physician at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 postconcussion. Outcome measures included: (1) Intervention feasibility: symptom status pre-post exercise sessions and completion of intervention and (2) Clinical recovery: symptom status at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 postinjury and medical clearance date.Results All participants completed the exercise sessions as part of the AE intervention and symptom exacerbation was not associated with any exercise session. The AE group experienced greater symptom resolution compared with the Usual Care Group across the recovery timeline.Conclusion A structured AE protocol appears to be safe and feasible to administer in the postacute stage of SRC recovery in adolescents and should be explored as part of a full Phase III Clinical Trial.
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spelling doaj-art-e772feeed2c646c3a2c1806d5fa627cb2025-08-20T02:15:12ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine2055-76472018-12-014110.1136/bmjsem-2018-000404Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled studyRachel Micay0Doug Richards1Michael G Hutchison2Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada5 Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaObjective The utility of structured exercise for rehabilitation purposes early in the postacute phase (ie, beyond the initial 24–48 hours of advised rest) following sport-related concussion (SRC) remains largely unexplored. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a standardised aerobic exercise (AE) intervention in the postacute stage of SRC recovery in a sample of adolescent students with SRC compared with usual care.Methods Symptomatic adolescents with SRC were randomised to one of two groups: Aerobic Exercise (n=8) or Usual Care (n=7). The AE intervention, beginning on day 6 postinjury, comprised eight sessions with progressive increases in intensity and duration on a cycle ergometer. Usual care consisted of rest followed by physician-advised progressions in activity levels in an unsupervised setting. All participants were evaluated by physician at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 postconcussion. Outcome measures included: (1) Intervention feasibility: symptom status pre-post exercise sessions and completion of intervention and (2) Clinical recovery: symptom status at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 postinjury and medical clearance date.Results All participants completed the exercise sessions as part of the AE intervention and symptom exacerbation was not associated with any exercise session. The AE group experienced greater symptom resolution compared with the Usual Care Group across the recovery timeline.Conclusion A structured AE protocol appears to be safe and feasible to administer in the postacute stage of SRC recovery in adolescents and should be explored as part of a full Phase III Clinical Trial.https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000404.full
spellingShingle Rachel Micay
Doug Richards
Michael G Hutchison
Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
title Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
title_full Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
title_fullStr Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
title_short Feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents: a randomised controlled study
title_sort feasibility of a postacute structured aerobic exercise intervention following sport concussion in symptomatic adolescents a randomised controlled study
url https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000404.full
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AT dougrichards feasibilityofapostacutestructuredaerobicexerciseinterventionfollowingsportconcussioninsymptomaticadolescentsarandomisedcontrolledstudy
AT michaelghutchison feasibilityofapostacutestructuredaerobicexerciseinterventionfollowingsportconcussioninsymptomaticadolescentsarandomisedcontrolledstudy