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Scientific Statement: Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations
for Stroke Survivors1 An Extracted Summary by Murray Low, Ed.D, FACSM, FAACVPR Exercise has repeatedly proven to be an important component of maintaining cardiovascular health in general and to reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, Researchers and physicians have long suspected that exercise might also protect against stroke. Now, there is a first-ever scientific consensus statement which states that we have enough evidence to prove that physical activity and exercise are a very important factor for stroke survivors. Current scientific evidence makes a strong case for the long-term and intensive control of multiple risk factors as an essential strategy to reduce the risk both for recurrent stroke and for acute heart events in stroke survivors. There is now much evidence available showing that a first or recurrent stroke can often be prevented. A key to stroke prevention is making lifestyle modifications and using appropriate drug therapy. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/109/16/2031?eaf - R7-146617#R7 146617 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/109/16/2031?eaf - R42-146617#R42-146617 Intensive risk factor management can be expected to lessen your risk for clotting events in the brain, heart and legs. In addition, health care professionals agree that physical activity and exercise training recommendations for stroke survivors should be viewed as an important component of a comprehensive stroke risk-reduction program. Existing research has shown that fewer than 50% of stroke patients reliably have their risk factors assessed, treated, or controlled. In a recent study of stroke patients, data from a stroke clinic in the United States indicated that during a 2-year period, 90% of patients who were overweight at their initial evaluation remained overweight, only 51% of hypertensive patients had their blood pressure under adequate control, serum lipids and lipoproteins remained abnormal in 55% of patients, none of the smokers quit smoking, and few patients modified their dietary or exercise practices. Traditionally, the physical rehabilitation of stroke patients typically ended within several months after stroke because it was believed that most if not all recovery of motor function occurred during this interval. However, recent research studies have shown that aggressive rehabilitation beyond this time period, including treadmill exercise increases aerobic capacity and nerve function. Consequently, rehabilitation programs designed to optimize useful performance in stroke survivors increasingly have incorporated aerobic exercise training in order to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. 1 Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivors
Stroke. 2004;35:1230-1240
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