OBJECTIVE: Research on aerobic exercise (AEx) post-concussion has focused on athletes recovering from sport-related concussion. The goal of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of three AEx prescription methods in a general adult population. DESIGN: This pilot study involves three cohorts of participants, including a nested randomized component. Participants who were not in the nested randomized component were followed regularly by the clinic physician (Usual Care (UC)). Participants in the nested randomized component were randomly assigned to either Exercise Testing (ET) plus UC, or Exercise Testing plus Individualized Prescription (IP). All randomized participants completed a Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT). ET plus UC received usual care AEx recommendations, while ET plus IP received an individualized prescription based on their BCTT performance. RESULTS: 75 participants were included in this analysis. There was an observed longer time to recovery of UC compared to ET (p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in time to recovery between ET plus UC and ET plus IP (p = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Supervised initiation of AEx early after concussion appears to be feasible and improve outcomes compared to standard exercise recommendations. Individualized AEx prescription offered no additional recovery benefit in this sample; however, this finding is likely underpowered due to a small sample.

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