Whole-Body Metabolism, Carbohydrate Utilization, and Caloric Energy Balance After Sport Concussion: A Pilot Study

Sport concussion (SC) causes an energy crisis in the brain by increasing energy demand, decreasing energy supply, and altering metabolic resources. Whole-body resting metabolic rate (RMR) is elevated after more severe brain injuries, but RMR changes are unknown after SC. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally examine energy-related changes in collegiate athletes after SC.

RMR and energy consumption will increase acutely after SC and will return to control levels with recovery.

Case-control study.

Level 4.

A total of 20 collegiate athletes with SC (mean age, 19.3 ± 1.08 years; mean height, 1.77 ± 0.11 m; mean weight, 79.6 ± 23.37 kg; 55% female) were compared with 20 matched controls (mean age, 20.8 ± 2.17 years; mean height, 1.77 ± 0.10 m; mean weight, 81.9 ± 23.45 kg; 55% female). RMR, percentage carbohydrate use (%CHO), and energy balance (EBal; ratio between caloric consumption and expenditure) were assessed 3 times: T₁, ≤72 hours after SC; T₂, 7 days after T₁; and T_F, after symptom resolution. A 2 × 2 × 3 (group × sex × time) multivariate analysis of variance assessed RMR, %CHO, and EBal. Changes in RMR, %CHO, and EBal (T₁ to T_F) were correlated with days to symptom-free and days to return to play in the concussed group.

Women reported being symptom-free (median, 6 days; range, 3-10 days) sooner than men (median, 11 days; range, 7-16 days). RMR and %CHO did not differ across time between groups or for group × sex interaction. SC participants had higher EBal than controls at T₁ (P = 0.016) and T₂ (P = 0.010). In men with SC, increasing %CHO over time correlated with days to symptom-free (r = 0.735 and P = 0.038, respectively) and days to return to play (r = 0.829 and P = 0.021, respectively).

Participants with SC were in energy surplus acutely after injury. Although women recovered more quickly than men, men had carbohydrate metabolism changes that correlated with recovery time.

This pilot study shows that male and female student-athletes may have differing physiologic responses to SC and that there may be a role for dietary intervention to improve clinical outcomes after SC.