Uncoupling between cerebral perfusion and oxygenation during incremental exercise in an athlete with postconcussion syndrome: a case report

Abstract

High-intensity exercise may pose a risk to patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) when symptomatic during exertion. The case of a paralympic athlete with PCS who experienced a succession of convulsion-awakening periods and reported a marked increase in postconcussion symptoms after undergoing a graded symptom-limited aerobic exercise protocol is presented. Potential mechanisms of cerebrovascular function failure are then discussed.

Keywords: Cerebral oxygenation; cerebral perfusion; exercise; postconcussion syndrome.