Improvements in reaction time post-concussion may be due to the progression of time instead of aerobic exercise.

Michigan State University

An explanation on how various concussion symptoms improved over time in  concussed patients who aerobically exercised compared to concussed non-aerobic exercise controls, as well as non-injured exercise controls.

Exercise and Concussions: Symptoms

Snyder, A., Greif, S., Clugston, J., FitzGerald, D., Yarrow, J., Babikian, T., . . . Bauer, R. (2021). The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Concussion Recovery: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27(8), 790-804. doi:10.1017/S1355617721000886

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Concussion Recovery: A Pilot Clinical Trial

Athletes took a balance test before the period of aerobic exercise and again after the period. The symptom that was most relieved by aerobic exercise was balance. In this area, this improvement was the most statistically significant.

Exercise and Concussions: Balance

Athletes took a depression questionnaire before the period of aerobic exercise and again after the period. According to the questionnaires, symptoms of depression improved across athletes, and offered the third most statistically significant improvement.

Exercise and Concussions: Depression

- Athletes self-assessed their anxiety levels before the period of aerobic exercise and again after the period. 
- According to the tests, this area improvement across every athlete, including controls. 
- This indicates that  improvements in anxiety are due to the progression of time instead of aerobic exercise.

Exercise and Concussions: Anxiety

- Athletes took a self-assessment ranking the severity of their symptoms before the period of aerobic exercise and again after the period. 
- According to the tests, this area improvement across every athlete, including controls. 
- This indicates that overall symptom severity improves due to time instead of aerobic exercise.

Exercise and Concussions: Overall Symptom Severity

Improvement in sleep quality may be due to time instead of aerobic exercise.

Exercise and Concussions: Sleep

Improvements in attention span is may be to the progression of time instead of aerobic exercise.

Exercise and Concussions: Attention Span

Exercise and Concussions: Reaction Time

An athlete taking an executive function test before the period of aerobic exercise and again after the period may find issues with executive function improved. However, exercise may also improve executive functioning in healthy individuals.

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