Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Effects of interval exercise and diurnal variation on blood biomarkers for sport-related concussion: A crossover
Linden C Penner1, Jason B Tabor1, Joel S Burma1
1Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
Objectives:
Preliminary investigation of exercise and diurnal effects on neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 and total tau.
Methods:
Plasma biomarkers were assayed from blood drawn before, during, immediately following, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48-h following three exercise conditions completed on a cycle ergometer (control [stationary], moderate intensity interval training and high intensity interval training). Participants with no prior concussion history completed each condition randomized four weeks apart.
Design:
Observational, crossover cohort.
Results:
Two-hundred-and-ninety-three plasma specimens from 10 participants (7 female, 3 male; median age 23.79 years (interquartile range: 21.38, 25.12)) demonstrated transient decreases in neurofilament light immediately following moderate (-1.11 pg/mL, 95 % confidence interval: -2.08 to -0.13, p = 0.03) and high intensity interval exercise (-1.48 pg/mL, 95 % confidence interval: -2.54 to -0.42, p = 0.01). Glial fibrillary acidic protein also decreased immediately following moderate (-16.47 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval: -28.88 to -4.06, p = 0.01) and high intensity interval exercise (-22.85 pg/mL, 95 % confidence interval: -30.25 to -15.45, p < 0.01), returning to control levels by 1 h post-exercise. Total tau declined throughout the day across all conditions on average (8 h: -1.15 pg/mL, β: 0.63, 95 % confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.89, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
These preliminary findings highlight potential considerations for future sport-related concussion biomarker investigations collecting acute post-injury data in a sports context, as exercise may have immediate transient effects, and diurnal variations may affect plasma concentrations. Future research is needed to examine blood biomarkers affected by exercise and sport-related concussion in populations with consideration for concussion history, age, and sex.
More Related Videos
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
10:31A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...