Six weeks of aerobic exercise speeds teen concussion recovery

Teens who performed aerobic exercises via a virtual program reported fewer concussion symptoms and better quality of life after three months compared to peers who only stretched. The findings come from a study involving 210 participants ages 11 to 18 in Washington, Utah, Wisconsin, and Oregon. The research was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

The program, called the Mobile Subthreshold Exercise Program, used activity trackers and weekly video calls with a health coach. Teens in the treatment group set goals and monitored progress through aerobic activities. The comparison group met with a coach but completed stretching exercises instead. The study aimed to make treatment more accessible for families who cannot easily travel to medical centers.

Sofie Hardi, 16, of Mountlake Terrace, suffered a concussion during wrestling practice in December 2024. She experienced frequent headaches, dizziness, and nausea. These symptoms forced her to step away from wrestling and jiu-jitsu. She used an elliptical machine as part of her recovery. Initially, she developed headaches and nausea within three to five minutes of exercising. After several weeks of consistent activity, she could exercise for 10 to 15 minutes, and sometimes 20 minutes, before symptoms appeared. Tracking these changes helped her recognize her progress.

Sofie has returned to wrestling and jiu-jitsu. In her first season after the study, she qualified for the state championships. She reached this goal despite spraining her ankle the week of the state championships. She competed and finished with a 2-1 record.

Sophia, 14, of Lynnwood, joined the study around May 2025 after suffering a concussion in a snow-tubing accident in January 2025. She experienced severe headaches for eight to nine months. The pain made it difficult to keep up with schoolwork, so she reduced her workload. She gradually increased her physical activity through walking and bicycling. Physical therapy also helped improve her neck movement. Sophia noted that her stamina was lower than before the injury, but gradually increasing activity helped her regain strength and balance.

Dr. Sara Chrisman, a researcher involved in the study, said the goal was to reduce the need for multiple in-person visits. She noted that most clinical programs require visits that do not work for families living far from medical centers. The study found that the exercise program's benefits were strongest among teens who began treatment within three months of their injury. By six months, differences between the exercise and stretching groups were no longer significant. Researchers also found no significant additional improvements in sleep, depression, or anxiety among participants in the exercise group.

Chrisman said young people with symptoms lasting longer than three months may need different approaches. Persistent symptoms can become harder to treat. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one option researchers are examining for those with longer-lasting symptoms.