Physiological Outcomes of Physical Activity Interventions in Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) cause prolonged impairment after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
• Objective markers for recovery and treatment response in PPCS are limited.
• Physiological dysregulation is a key feature of PPCS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physiological effects of aerobic exercise in individuals with PPCS.
• To synthesize evidence on how aerobic exercise impacts physiological alterations in PPCS.
• To evaluate the role of aerobic exercise in managing PPCS.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searched major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) for eligible human studies.
• Included studies on mTBI/PPCS with aerobic exercise interventions and physiological outcomes.

Main Results:

• Five studies met eligibility criteria.
• Aerobic exercise improved exercise tolerance and heart rate thresholds.
• Normalization of exertional blood pressure and improved CO2 sensitivity were observed; resting measures were mixed.

Conclusions:

• Aerobic exercise offers physiological benefits for PPCS management.
• This intervention is actionable for rehabilitation progression in PPCS.
• Future research needs standardized endpoints and diverse populations.