Due to differences in modalities , time course , study design and outcomes , it is not possible to define a single ‘ physiological time window ’ for SRC recovery .
Multiple studies suggest physiological dysfunction may outlast current clinical measures of recovery , supporting a buffer zone of gradually increasing activity before full contact risk .
Aim or objective The aim of this study is to consoli date studies of physiological measures following sport-related concussion ( SRC ) to determine if a time course of postinjury altered neurobiology can be outlined .
This biological time course was considered with respect to clinical ly relevant outcomes such as vulnerability to repeat injury and safe timing of return to physical contact risk .
FUNCTIONAL BRAIN ABNORMALITIES ARE RELATED TO CLINICAL RECOVERY AND TIME TO RETURN‐TO‐PLAY IN ATHLETES
OBJECTIVE The relationship between athlete reports of symptoms , neurophysiological activation , and neuropsychological functioning is investigated in a sample of high school athletes . METHODS All athletes were evaluated using functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) , a computer-based battery of neurocognitive tests , and a subjective symptom scale . Athletes were evaluated within approximately 1 week of injury and again after clinical recovery using all assessment modalities . RESULTS This study found that abnormal fMRI results during the first week of recovery predicted clinical recovery . As a group , athletes who demonstrated hyperactivation on fMRI scans at the time of their first fMRI scan demonstrated a more prolonged clinical recovery than athletes who did not demonstrate hyperactivation at the time of their first fMRI scan . CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the relationship between neurophysiological , neuropsychological , and subjective symptom data in a relatively large sample composed primarily of concussed high school athletes .  fMRI represents an important evolving technology for the underst and ing of brain recovery after concussion and may help shape return-to-play guidelines in the future
Due to differences in modalities , time course , study design and outcomes , it is not possible to define a single ‘ physiological time window ’ for SRC recovery .
Multiple studies suggest physiological dysfunction may outlast current clinical measures of recovery , supporting a buffer zone of gradually increasing activity before full contact risk .
Aim or objective The aim of this study is to consoli date studies of physiological measures following sport-related concussion ( SRC ) to determine if a time course of postinjury altered neurobiology can be outlined .
This biological time course was considered with respect to clinical ly relevant outcomes such as vulnerability to repeat injury and safe timing of return to physical contact risk .