The thinking on concussion recovery is changing
New thinking on concussion recovery is flipping the script. Experts now say light activity—not extended rest—may actually help healing. With millions of sports-related concussions each year, the shift could reshape how athletes bounce back.
The conventional wisdom surrounding concussion recovery for athletes is changing, according to a new Wall Street Journal report.
The old thinking: Perform little-to-no activity until the concussion symptoms passed.
The new: Light activity – enough to get the patient’s heart rate up to 50% of the maximum age-predicted rate – relatively shortly after the concussion occurs is the move.
- “The best available evidence shows that recommending strict rest until the complete resolution of concussion-related symptoms is not beneficial,” according to the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport.
- Alexander Kheradi, a doctor at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and team physician for the Washington Capitals, advises an activity freeze only for the first 24–48 hours after a concussion.
To be clear: In this instance, activity doesn’t involve anaerobic exercise (ex: weightlifting) – and docs say don’t do what led to the concussion in the first place, or return to competition before being fully recovered.
Zoom out: ~3.8 million concussions occur each year in the US from sports-related injuries, with up to 50% going unreported. They’re especially prevalent in contact sports like football or hockey, and can disrupt normal brain function and cause both short-term and long-term symptoms (see: CTE).
Some good news…Concussions in the NFL reached a record-low total last season (except for Tua), per recent league data. S/o Guardian Caps and increased awareness.
