The Effects of a Sub-maximal Exercise Program on Adolescents Who Sustained a Concussion

There has been recent change to the management of concussion, including the addition of
exercise while a patient may still be experiencing symptoms. Some patients will be given a
dose-dependent exercise prescription based on their own sub-maximal output. They will
aerobically exercise at this given threshold for 8 weeks, while heart rate and symptom
duration is tracked. Some patients will only follow physician prescribed exercise, while
undergoing the same heart rate and symptom monitoring for 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Experienced a concussion within the last 2 weeks. Concussion will be diagnosed by
board-certified sports medicine physicians, and defined as a direct or indirect blow
to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere that manifests with the presence of symptoms and
neurological impairment

- Low or moderate cardiac risk according to American College of Sports Medicine

- Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score greater than 9

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of neurological surgery

- Seizure disorder

- Use of medication or medical device that would alter heart rate, blood pressure or
autonomic function

- Any current, serious, chronic medical or psychiatric disease that, in the Principal
Investigator's judgment, may interfere with study participation or data integrity

- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent