When you think of recovery after a concussion, you might picture dark rooms, long naps, and avoiding screens. However, the latest science says that the path to healing may include getting moving sooner, with safe aerobic exercise.
An October 2025 study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, “Promoting Early Aerobic Exercise Initiation After Concussion,” provides additional evidence for the new concussion therapy guidance. It shows that carefully introducing aerobic activity, like walking on a treadmill, stationary cycling, or other light cardio, within the first week after a concussion can help people recover faster.
Key Findings:
- Faster Recovery with Testing: Those who completed the treadmill therapy recovered in an average of 6 weeks, compared to 8 weeks with usual care.
- Personalized Plans Show Promise: Participants who received supervised aerobic exercise recovered faster than those with usual care alone, with some improving in as little as 4 weeks. While a fully tailored exercise prescription did not significantly outperform general aerobic recommendations, both exercise groups showed better recovery than standard care.
- Tracking Devices May Help: Wearing heart rate monitors encouraged consistent activity. The study researchers acknowledged that this may have contributed to better outcomes.
Why Aerobic Exercise Helps Concussion Recovery
Light aerobic exercise plays a role in healing the brain in several ways:
- Increases blood flow to the brain.
- Reduces Kinesio phobia (fear of movement) by showing patients they can safely be active.
- Improves adherence to other activity recommendations through structured testing and heart rate tracking.
This does not mean doctors would recommend running marathons or lifting heavy weights right after a concussion. The exercise recommended is low-impact, controlled aerobic activity like treadmill walking, stationary biking, or structured at-home exercise programs.
Where EyeBOX Fits In
Before starting any recovery plan, it’s essential to know whether a concussion has actually occurred. That’s where EyeBOX plays a key role.
EyeBOX is the only FDA-cleared objective concussion test, using eye movements to provide doctors with unbiased data—no baseline needed. When paired with research-backed approaches like early aerobic exercise, patients get both accurate diagnosis and evidence-based recovery strategies.
This new research shows that, with professional guidance, aerobic exercise can be part of the concussion treatment plan, helping patients return to work, school, and daily life more quickly.