The Influence of Prescribed Exercise on Pain Related Fear Following Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
University of Virginia
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of acute aerobic exercise at two different intensities on psychological measures, symptomology, and time to symptom free in collegiate student athletes with concussion. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does prescribed, acute aerobic exercise influence measures of pain related fear, anxiety, depression, symptoms, and recovery time? * Does the intensity of the exercise prescription also influence the aforementioned outcomes? Participants will be randomly assigned into either a light intensity or moderate intensity aerobic exercise (treadmill walking) group. They will initiate the exercise protocol 48 hours following their concussion diagnosis, and complete exercise sessions 5 times per week until they report symptom-free. Researchers will compare the light intensity group to the moderate intensity group to see if intensity of exercise influences psychological measures of pain related fear, anxiety, depression, symptomology, and time to symptom-free.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Collegiate athlete (varsity) * Symptomatic at time of exercise prescription Exclusion Criteria: * If advanced neuroimaging was performed, any subject with a structural abnormality will be excluded * History of traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization * Not cleared to play their sport by a physician due to some other injury such as an ankle sprain or muscle strain * If individual is diagnosed with any condition that is a contraindication to aerobic exercise. Please note that all participants will have already been cleared to participate in their respective colle…
Interventions
- BehavioralTreadmill Walking
A treadmill will be used for participant to walk on. The frequency of exercise will be 5 times per week until they report symptom-free. The intensity will be determined via random group allocation (RPE of 13 or 9). The type of exercise is treadmill walking. The time of the intervention will depend on the the time it takes an individual to reach a specific caloric expenditure as a function of their weight and treadmill incline. This is based on the most recent American Congress of Sports Medicine's guidelines for estimating gross energy expenditure during common physical activities.
Location
- University of Virginia Department of KinesiologyCharlottesville, Virginia