Thats very interesting. Goes to show how PCS can vary from person to person. I routinely jump rope for 15 minutes (5minx3). These excercises do not worsen my symptoms.

Brain injury seems to affect stamina so short aerobic exercises might be better. I would think this would be good for oxygenating the brain too. Tracking my walking over the months has given me the sense that I've improved in some areas at least and given me base level of fitness however with me my stamina depends on the sleep I've had the night before. I really want to start running again, that's my ultimate goal.

I've not read an explanation on how concussion brain injury affects fatigue, I don't think anyone knows, but they seem to think it has to do with injury deep inside the brain, areas that are still a mystery.

Best thing is to go at a pace or lift a weight that does not bring on symptoms and if you pass that threshhold, ease off. It's frustrating I know but that's how to do it so you don't get set backs.

13 months post concussion and I can still get pretty bad head pressure symptoms from exercising if I push it. Try not to overdo it and get a setbacks.

I'm 9 months in and still at the point where uncontrolled fast walking hurts my head and causes symptoms (short term at least for the small jolts). Running is definitely a no go. At least I can walk to the shops now

From doing weights previously I would be a bit concerned about explosive exercises as they will probably jolt your brain around a bit. But my noggin is very sensitive now. I plan on starting weights but doing the movements in a very slow controlled fashion. It won't build explosive power, but at least will improve general strength.

Regarding cardio I would check out the "Buffalo Protocol" as if raising your heart rate is giving you a headache you probably need to do a progressive exercise program to slowly retrain.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MVTBI
Any of you guys find that sustained cardio is worse? I found with weights just spiking my heart rate and then bringing it down has less symptoms than the traditional bike or walking increased intensity, maybe I am imagining it because the weights make me happy! just curious.....

I'm almost 2 years out. I can run hard intervals of 30-60 sec, and as long as I let my HR come down (recovery time early on is ~60 sec, increases up to ~2-3 min), I do ok. After 10-25 intervals (depends on heat, humidity, and variables I haven't yet figured out), I'll start getting a headache by the end of the hard run, but it calms down as I recover.

When I try to go for distance, even at a slow pace, I do ok for ~2 miles, and then I get nauseous. I used to get a headache first, but I started on amitriptyline about a month ago, and now sometimes I bypass the headache and go right to the nausea - that's progress, right?

I'm a lot more sensitive to heat, hydration, and nutrition issues - I'm trying to cut sugar and processed foods from my diet and need to start experimenting with sports drinks other than Gatorade - I feel as if my body wants more than water when it's hot, even for a short 2-mile run. I'm in Houston, so the heat and humidity are a big factor as it gets warmer.

Good luck, I know how you feel about not being able to exercise like you want!