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Modulating Exercise Dosage to Improve Concussion Recovery

Modulating Exercise Dosage to Improve Concussion Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Who can join

Ages 13 to 18 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* 13-18 years of age
* Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score \>10 to ensure participants are not recovered by enrollment
* Concussion diagnosis by a sports medicine physician

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pre-existing neurological disorders
* Exercise contraindications
* Concussion \<6 months before enrollment (excluding the current injury)

About the study

Aerobic exercise has emerged as an effective treatment to reduce sport-related concussion symptom severity, yet existing work lacks rigor regarding the precise exercise volume and intensity required to elicit therapeutic effects, how exercise can alter concussion-related pathophysiology, and whether exercise can prevent the development of secondary sequelae. Our objective is to examine if a high dose exercise program (higher volume than currently prescribed at an individualized, safe intensity level) initiated within 21 days of concussion results in faster symptom resolution, altered physiological function, or reduced secondary sequalae. Findings from this research will lead to more rigorous and precise rehabilitation guidelines and improved understanding about how exercise affects neurophysiological function among adolescents with concussion.

What is being tested

• High Dose Exercise (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Participants: 178 · Started: Aug 5, 2022

Contact the study team

• David R Howell, PhD · Phone: 7207771502
• Kelsie Richardson, MS · Phone: 7207771502

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05434130

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Concussion
• Depression
• Anxiety

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.