Moderate to vigorous exercise during post-concussion recovery reduces anxiety levels in teens

By Jeffrey Kong. This article was initially published in the 7/25/24 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

In a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Katherine Smulligan et al. found that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during post-concussion recovery can reduce anxiety levels in teens and have other beneficial effects. This experiment looked at the impact of physical exercise on post-concussion recovery among 48 adolescents aged 13 through 18. According to study coauthor David Howell in an article in Science Daily, teens who regularly participate in high-intensity sports and are advised to rest in a dark room post-concussion may “have trouble sleeping because of that activity modification.” Integrating MVPA into recovery can promote better sleep, thus contributing to recovery. In addition, integrating MVPA into their concussion recovery routine can help with mental health. 

Researchers used data from a broader study to study a cohort of 48 participants (27 females and 21 males aged 13–18) who visited a sports medicine clinic within two weeks of sustaining a concussion. Each participant rated their concussion symptoms and anxiety levels on a PROMIS anxiety scale at their first meeting with the physician and at their one-week follow-up. At their initial visit, participants were given a device to monitor their physical exercise levels over the week and did not receive specific instructions or recommendations for physical activity levels.

The authors found that higher MVPA values early after concussions correlated with lower anxiety levels among the teens in the study. On average, each hour of MVPA during the week was associated with a 5-point decrease in PROMIS anxiety scores (which range from 7-35). These significant findings suggest that moderate to vigorous physical activity can be an effective part of post-concussion rehabilitation and can mitigate the anxiety that many adolescents experience after a concussion. Even though pre-existing anxiety issues can affect anxiety levels post-concussion, engaging in MVPA can still improve post-concussion anxiety symptoms.