Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of acute aerobic exercise at two different intensities on psychological measures, symptomology, and time to symptom free in collegiate student athletes with concussion. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does prescribed, acute aerobic exercise influence measures of pain related fear, anxiety, depression, symptoms, and recovery time?
- Does the intensity of the exercise prescription also influence the aforementioned outcomes?
Participants will be randomly assigned into either a light intensity or moderate intensity aerobic exercise (treadmill walking) group. They will initiate the exercise protocol 48 hours following their concussion diagnosis, and complete exercise sessions 5 times per week until they report symptom-free. Researchers will compare the light intensity group to the moderate intensity group to see if intensity of exercise influences psychological measures of pain related fear, anxiety, depression, symptomology, and time to symptom-free.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Collegiate athlete (varsity)
- Symptomatic at time of exercise prescription
Exclusion Criteria:
- If advanced neuroimaging was performed, any subject with a structural abnormality will be excluded
- History of traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization
- Not cleared to play their sport by a physician due to some other injury such as an ankle sprain or muscle strain
- If individual is diagnosed with any condition that is a contraindication to aerobic exercise. Please note that all participants will have already been cleared to participate in their respective collegiate sport after extensive pre-participation physical examinations upon entering the university.