After a concussion, many wonder when it is safe to return to exercise. The timing depends on the severity of symptoms and individual recovery, but most guidelines recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms have fully resolved before resuming physical activity.
Rushing back too soon can worsen symptoms or prolong recovery. A gradual return, guided by medical advice, helps ensure safety and prevents further injury.
Understanding the proper wait time is crucial for anyone recovering from a concussion. This article will break down the best practices for safe exercise after a head injury.
Understanding Concussions
A concussion affects brain function through physical trauma. It causes a range of symptoms that impact cognitive, physical, and emotional health. Timing exercise after a concussion is crucial to prevent worsening symptoms and support recovery.
What Happens During a Concussion
A concussion occurs when the brain experiences sudden movement or impact inside the skull. This forces the brain to shift or bounce, causing cellular injury.
The injury disrupts normal brain signaling and alters blood flow. It can increase metabolic demands while reducing the brain’s ability to meet them, leading to a temporary energy crisis.
Neurons may become dysfunctional, and the brain’s protective mechanisms activate. This trauma is microscopic but causes significant symptoms and vulnerability to further injury.
Common Symptoms After a Concussion
Symptoms vary but often include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Nausea and sensitivity to light or noise are also frequent.
Physical symptoms such as balance problems and fatigue are common. Emotional changes may include irritability and mood swings.
Cognitive symptoms typically affect memory and processing speed. These symptoms can last days to weeks but require monitoring to avoid delayed complications.
Why Exercise Timing Matters
Early return to physical activity can worsen symptoms or prolong recovery. The brain needs time to stabilize metabolic and neural functions.
Exercise increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can exacerbate brain injury effects shortly after a concussion. It may also increase risk of re-injury.
Guidelines recommend waiting until symptoms have significantly improved before resuming exercise. Gradual, supervised increases in activity are essential to ensure safety.
Recommended Waiting Periods Before Exercising
After a concussion, recovery time varies but should follow specific steps before resuming exercise. The process involves initial rest, gradually introducing light activity, and then returning to full exercise only when symptoms permit.
General Guidelines for Rest and Activity
An individual should rest physically and mentally for 24 to 48 hours immediately after a concussion. During this period, they should avoid activities that increase symptoms, such as screen time, reading, or physical exertion.
Complete rest beyond 48 hours is typically unnecessary and may delay recovery. Gradual increase in daily activities is encouraged as long as symptoms do not worsen.
Medical advice should be sought to tailor recommendations based on symptom severity. Persistent symptoms may require extended rest or modified activity levels.
When to Start Light Physical Activity
Light physical activity, like walking or gentle stretching, can often begin after the initial 48-hour rest if the person is symptom-free at rest. This phase tests the brain’s tolerance to mild exertion.
Activities should be low intensity, no more than 30 minutes, and stopped immediately if symptoms return or worsen. Examples include slow walking or basic household tasks.
According to the personal injury experts at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, it’s important that a healthcare provider guide this phase. They also recommend monitoring symptoms through a daily journal or symptom checklist for future reference.
Returning to Full Exercise
Full exercise, including running and sports, generally resumes only after the individual has no concussion symptoms during daily activities and light exercise. This can take from a few days to several weeks.
A step-by-step progression is advised, increasing intensity gradually while monitoring for symptoms. A typical protocol involves 5 stages, each lasting at least 24 hours, without symptom recurrence.
If symptoms return during any stage, the person should drop back to the previous level of activity and rest for 24 hours before trying again. Medical clearance is recommended before full return to contact sports or rigorous workouts.
Safe Steps for Resuming Exercise
Resuming exercise after a concussion requires careful attention to symptoms, a structured gradual plan, and readiness to adjust based on how the individual responds. These steps aim to prevent further injury and promote safe recovery.
Assessing Symptom Resolution
Before beginning any physical activity, the individual must be symptom-free at rest. Symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision should be completely resolved for at least 24-48 hours.
Healthcare professionals often perform cognitive and balance tests to confirm recovery. If symptoms persist or worsen during rest, exercise should be delayed. Only after full symptom resolution should light physical activity be considered.
Clear, objective measures such as symptom checklists or concussion assessment tools help determine readiness. Returning to exercise too soon can delay healing or cause setbacks.
Gradual Return-to-Play Protocols
The return-to-play process follows a stepwise progression, typically including 5 stages. Each stage lasts at least 24 hours, provided no symptoms reoccur.
Stages include:
- Light aerobic exercise (e.g., walking or stationary cycling, under 70% max heart rate)
- Sport-specific exercise (e.g., running drills without contact)
- Non-contact training drills (increased intensity, coordination, and cognitive load)
- Full contact practice
- Return to normal game play
If any symptoms return, the individual must stop and rest until symptoms resolve, restarting at the previous stage. This protocol may take one week or longer.
Monitoring and Managing Setbacks
Close monitoring during each stage is critical. The individual should track any physical or cognitive symptoms occurring during activity.
Setbacks often include return of headaches, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating. When symptoms reappear, exercise should be paused immediately for 24-48 hours.
Medical evaluation is necessary if setbacks occur multiple times or if symptoms intensify. Adjustments to the return-to-play timeline are made based on these assessments.
Clear communication between the individual, healthcare providers, and coaches supports safe management of setbacks and prevents premature return to full activity.
Considerations for Special Populations
Recovery time and exercise guidelines vary depending on individual factors such as age, risk of re-injury, and baseline health. Some groups require tailored approaches to avoid complications and promote safe healing.
Athletes and High-Risk Groups
Athletes face a higher risk of repeat concussions, which can lead to prolonged symptoms and serious brain injury. They should undergo strict medical evaluation before returning to exercise.
Protocol often includes a stepwise progression starting with very light activity and increasing intensity only as symptoms allow. The goal is to avoid physical or cognitive exertion that worsens symptoms.
Clearance from a healthcare professional with concussion expertise is critical. In contact sports, many organizations recommend a minimum of 7–14 days symptom-free rest before active training resumes. Premature return increases the risk of further injury.
Children and Teens
Younger patients typically recover slower than adults and are more susceptible to long-term effects. Their brains are still developing, requiring cautious management after concussion.
Rest involving both physical and cognitive activities is essential for the initial 24–72 hours. Following this, gradual reintroduction of activity under medical supervision is advised.
Monitoring for symptom exacerbation is critical during recovery. Sports and school activities often require coordinated clearance to prevent setbacks. Extended recovery time is common, especially in younger adolescents.
Older Adults
Older adults are at increased risk for complications such as intracranial bleeding and slower healing after concussion. Baseline health issues and medication use may affect recovery.
Exercise should be resumed carefully, with frequent assessments to detect any worsening symptoms or new problems. Balance and coordination exercises may be included once medically approved.
Because older adults may already have preexisting cognitive or physical limitations, individualized plans created by healthcare providers familiar with concussion and geriatric care improve safety and effectiveness.