Concussion’s moving recovery position.
Most people who have suffered a concussion will have been advised that rest and relaxation should be the mainstay of their recovery strategy. However, new evidence suggests that a gradual return to aerobic exercise could be the best treatment, particularly in young people.
Researchers in Canada ran the biggest study of its kind (456 10 - 18-year-olds), and are now recommending a return to light exercise just 72 hours after a concussion. Their results suggest that those who took part in a controlled return to physical activity can reduce concussion symptoms and reduce the rate of delayed recovery.
PedCARE, the name given to this new study, has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The advice given by the Canadian team is that graded exercise should be introduced after 72 hours of rest. Even if concussion symptoms are still present, exercise seems to offer a safe and more satisfactory recovery strategy than rest alone.
The focus on rest following a concussion was often recommended to limit the chances of suffering a second concussion, which can have compounding, long-lasting effects. When dealing with young people the focus on caution is easy to understand. However, these new findings suggest that a more active recovery approach would be beneficial.
Studies examining adult populations have also started to suggest the inclusion of some activity as part of a recovery strategy. The mechanisms underpinning an active rather than a passive approach to recovery are still to be fully understood. However, some believe that, as exercise activates the autonomic nervous system, this helps to rebalance the system and therefore relieves symptoms. Exercise may help to trigger a form of reset which then assists a quicker recovery.
HITIQ’s data, product and research development continues to support practical solutions to measure, mitigate and manage head impacts. Our aim is to help reduce the number of concussions. This is done via our industry-leading sensor technology within the Nexus A9 mouthguard. This high-quality data then informs our software systems which continue to develop accurate load profiles for players and the exercise activities they engage in.
As research continues to suggest that active recovery is the best form of treatment, HITIQ’s Nexus system, via its drill and exercise tracking feature, will help medics identify the most appropriate type, duration and intensity of exercise to support recovery. It is likely that a number of factors will influence treatment plans. This could include, age, sex, severity of injury etc. These are areas that the HITIQ team are already looking into with the aim of being able to support medics in prescribing the most effective player welfare strategies.
The increased focus on concussion management within scientific research is a welcome advance. This research is rapidly finding its way into the recovery strategies of players at all ages and levels of sport. HITIQ’s own research and technology is a key part of the drive to better understand, manage and support athletes in both reducing the instances of concussion and enhancing their recovery.
To find out more about HITIQ’s product range and how they help mitigate and manage concussion click here.
To view the PedCARE research click here