Early Resistance Exercise in Concussion: AMSSM 2026 Poster

Study Overview

Current concussion protocols emphasize aerobic sub-symptom exercise, but resistance training is typically restricted until later stages of recovery. Sub-symptom exercise has been shown to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), both of which support neuroplasticity. This observational study evaluated whether supervised resistance activity — introduced earlier in recovery — leads to symptom exacerbation or prolonged recovery in NCAA Division I athletes.

Design

Prospective Observational

Enrollment

11 NCAA D1 Athletes

Demographics

8 Female · 19.8 ± 1.4 yrs

Intervention Timing

5.2 ± 2.0 Days Post-Injury

Key Findings

Preliminary results from 11 NCAA Division I athletes presented at AMSSM 2026.

0 / 11

Athletes With Worse SCAT6 After Weightlifting

No adverse events reported during the study

Symptom Burden

22.9 → 0.9

SCAT6 Score: Initial → Day After WL

96% reduction · p = 0.002 · d = −1.26

Symptom Response

55% / 45%

Improved / Unchanged Day After WL

Wilcoxon p = 0.03

Exertion

11.1 vs 15.1

RPE: Weightlifting vs. Buffalo Test

p = 0.002

Recovery Timing

ρ = 0.75

Earlier WL → Faster Symptom Resolution

Spearman p = 0.005

Return to Play

10.3 days

Mean Return-to-Sport Time (±3.4)

Within expected SRC timelines

Symptom Resolution

6.5 days

Mean Time to Symptom Resolution (±2.4)

Within expected SRC timelines

Takeaway

Preliminary findings indicate that supervised resistance activity introduced early in post-concussion rehabilitation was not associated with prolonged recovery or symptom exacerbation in NCAA Division I athletes. Weightlifting was perceived as less exertional than the standardized Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test, and earlier weightlifting correlated with faster symptom resolution. These findings support further investigation into early resistance exercise as a potential adjunct to current concussion recovery protocols.

Download the AMSSM 2026 Poster

PDF · 1.4 MB · Presented April 2026, Seattle, WA

Download Poster

Measurements

Symptom & Exertion Tracking

Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6)

Standardized symptom score at initial evaluation, day of weightlifting, and day after

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Symptom severity rating before and after each training session

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

Borg 6–20 scale for weightlifting sessions and Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test

Limitations

Small sample size (n = 11) limits generalizability
Variability in resistance training protocol across individual athletes
Lack of a control group receiving standard rehabilitation only
Participant selection bias and uncontrolled confounders

Investigators & Authors

Kyle Lau, MD

First Author

UCLA · Division of Sports Medicine

Jeremy Swisher, MD

Co-Author

UCLA · David Geffen School of Medicine

Jeffery Ezennia, MD

Co-Author

UCLA · Division of Sports Medicine

Jeremy Vail, PT, SCS, OCS

Co-Author

UCLA Athletics

Joshua Goldman, MD, MBA

Senior Author

UCLA · David Geffen School of Medicine

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Early Resistance Exercise in Post-Concussion Rehabilitation

Study Overview

Key Findings

Takeaway

Download the AMSSM 2026 Poster

Measurements

Symptom & Exertion Tracking

Limitations

Investigators & Authors