A brief, clinically feasible alternative to evaluate response to exercise following sport-related concussion: initial validation of the 10-M in male healthy controls.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to compare physiological responses, concussion symptoms, and rating of perceived exertion between the 10-M and treadmill protocols for the aerobic component of the dynamic exertion test (EXiT). We hypothesized that these outcomes would be similar between protocols and have moderate-to-strong agreement.

Methods: We conducted a within subject, cross-over study design comprised of fourteen healthy and physically active male adults. Participants performed the treadmill and the 10-M protocols in a randomized order separated by a 30-minute rest period. Pre- and postexercise resting heart rate (HR), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Symptoms (headache, dizziness, and nausea), and RPE were recorded. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were conducted for HR and BP, and Cronbach's alpha for symptoms and RPE.

Results: There was moderate agreement for HR across minutes 6-12 (ICC>0.723, P<0.002) and postexercise diastolic BP (ICC=0.776, P<0.022), but not postexercise systolic BP or resting HR (P>0.05). Concussion symptoms and RPE were equivocal (Cronbach's alpha = 0.955, P<0.001).

Conclusions: Physiological and clinical responses between 10-M and treadmill conditions for the aerobic component of EXiT were comparable; the 10-M protocol may be an alternative approach to implement the aerobic component of EXiT.