Individualized sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise treatment prescribed to adolescents with concussion symptoms during the first week after sport-related concussion (SRC) speeds recovery and may reduce the incidence of delayed recovery, according to a recent study. This multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at university concussion centers. Male and female adolescent athletes (age 13-18 years) presenting within 10 days of SRC were randomly assigned to aerobic exercise or a placebo-like stretching regimen. Researchers found:

• 103 participants were included (aerobic exercise: n=52; 24 female [46%]; stretching, n=51; 24 female [47%]).
• Participants in the aerobic exercise group were seen a mean (SD) of 4.9 (2.2) days after the SRC, and those in the stretching group were seen a mean (SD) of 4.8 (2.4) days after the SRC.
• There were no differences in age, sex, previous concussions, time from injury, initial symptom severity score, or initial exercise treadmill test and physical examination results.
• Aerobic exercise participants recovered in a median of 13 (interquartile range [IQR], 10-18.5) days, whereas stretching participants recovered in 17 (IQR, 13-23) days.