A review of the effects of physical activity and sports concussion on brain function and anatomy

Physical activity has been associated with widespread anatomical and functional brain changes that occur following acute exercise or, in the case of athletes, throughout life. High levels of physical activity through the practice of sports also lead to better general health and increased cognitive function. Athletes are at risk, however, of suffering a concussion, the effects of which have been extensively described for brain function and anatomy. The level to which these effects are modulated by increased levels of fitness is not known. Here, we review literature describing the effects of physical activity and sports concussions on white matter, grey matter, neurochemistry and cortical excitability. We suggest that the effects of sports concussion can be coufounded by the effects of exercise. Indeed, available data show that the brain of athletes is different from that of healthy individuals with a non-active lifestyle. As a result, sports concussions take place in a context where structural/functional plasticity has occurred prior to the concussive event. The sports concussion literature does not permit, at present, to separate the effects of intense and repeated physical activity, and the abrupt removal from such activities, from those of concussion on brain structure and function.