Cortical hypoexcitability persists beyond the symptomatic phase of a concussion

The purpose of this research was to assess cortical excitability, voluntary activation of muscle and force sensation beyond the initial highly symptomatic period post-concussion (1-4 weeks post-injury). It was hypothesized that reduced excitability of the motor cortex may impair muscle activation and alter perceptions of force and effort.

Eight concussed varsity football players were age- and position-matched with eight healthy teammates to control for training and body size. Healthy controls had not suffered a concussion in the previous 12 months.

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess cortical excitability, voluntary activation was calculated using cortical twitch interpolation technique and sense of force was determined using constant-force sensation contractions.

The concussed group had lower intra-cortical facilitation (p = 0.036), lower maximal voluntary muscle activation (p = 0.038) and greater perceptions of force (p < 0.05), likely due to compensatory increases in upstream drive, than their healthy matched teammates.

Taken together, these findings suggest a state of hypoexcitability that persists beyond the immediate acute phase of a concussion and may result in neuromuscular impairments that would call to question the athlete's readiness to return to sport.