Concussion & Exercise 101

In this live session, ‪@drmarkheisig‬ will cover:
- Why strict rest is an outdated (and potentially harmful) recommendation.
- How & why exercise prescription speeds recovery in all aspects of concussion/PCS.
- And (paradoxically) why we think physical activity may provoke symptoms
- Plus, some nuance about exercise intolerance timing & the factors that may contribute.

[@andre1987eph]

Former NCAA (1980s) middle distance runner here. Experienced a head movement event 6 days ago. Today is literally the first time I ever took my pulse at workout. 160 beats per minute (100% max for my age). Felt great no symptoms. Yesterday after similar workout, felt the bus about 8 hrs later. This video gave me more insighrful info than a visit to urgent care would have. This is something I never want to experience again. Life is precious.

[@drmarkheisig]

I'm glad that you found this helpful!

[@marigoldsavage4287]

Thank you so much for sharing this, my docter didn't tell me this. I've been feeling very insecure about how much I should or shouldn't be doing, and hearing this has definitely motivated me to carry on :) still experiencing alot of cognitive symptoms, should I approach social situations, music, light, screentime etc. with the same technique of staying just under my threshold?

[@drmarkheisig]

Hi there! Yep. Generally, we recommend keeping symptoms "mild." This means to not let symptoms flare >2pts and for not longer than an hour (60min). It wasn't mild if symptoms flared more than that or longer than that. That's not a problem, per se, just information for you in gauging intensity.
Take note of where you're starting (on a 10pt scale, with 10 being worst). If you're at a 3, don't go past a 5. Once you reach that point, slow down or take a break.

[@andre1987eph]

After you've experienced a concussion you certainly have less tolerance for communication that is not direct and straight to the point, like this gentleman's video. I feel it's a generational thing. Young people have been taught that speaking directly is somehow bad and/or beating around the bush is preferable/beneficial or makes what they are saying more significant. When in fact it's REALLY annoying - like bad music. Edit: OK, Presentation gets much better after first few minutes. he went from sounding like a community college grad to Harvard grad. 🤣

[@drmarkheisig]

This gentleman takes the format because when this gentleman is to the point and academic, this gentleman loses his audience in unnecessary jargon. While it makes things "to the point" it's arguably useless if the target audience can't understand it 🙏❤️🤙

[@andre1987eph]

@@drmarkheisig Good info in the video. Will definitely be doing daily cardio as much as possible. Thank you. 🙏

[@bryansmith3940]

I have a 25 year old son with a mtbi. He doesn’t produce symptoms at high aerobic exercise. Should he use a formula to figure out a target heart rate? Thank you.

[@gmo68]

What if you’re working off that percentage and let’s say 50-60% is the working threshold 95-110 and you find it tolerable but you have delayed responses. Is it still considered delayed effect/cervical?
Something I’ve noticed too wearing a HR monitor and slight movement to one side (lateral flexion) drops HR which goes along with your blood flow restriction point.

[@drmarkheisig]

Yeah, there may be overlapping issues. The delayed effect is more related to the head/eye/environment movement than the heart rate intensity.