Physical Activity after Stroke
News | 14 November 2014
According to AHA Statistical Update4 annually 795 000 people in the US experience a stroke or recurrent stroke. According to a Swedish follow-up study the crude incidence rate for stroke (ischemic or haemorrhagic) was 7.74 per 1,000 person-years in men. (6)
Considerable spontaneous recovery follows acutely after stroke, yet a variety of deficits may remain. For example muscle strength deficits and upper-limb spasticity following stroke are common. (3,5)
Individualized goals for physical activity (PA) depend on the exercise tolerance, impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, stage of recovery, social support and environmental facilities and last but not least individual PA preferences.(1)
The main goal in acute post-stroke rehabilitation for PA is preventing effects of prolonged inactivity and also to regain voluntary movement and recover basic activities of daily living. The aim of post-stroke rehabilitation is also to help the patient to adopt and maintain active lifestyle after active rehabilitation, for prevention of recurrent stroke and other cardiac events and to maintain physical functioning.(1)
In summary the exercise programming recommendations according to Billinger et al. (2014):
Structured treadmill or cycle ergometer exercise programs should be complemented by muscular strength/endurance training,flexibility training and increased everyday casual physical activity.
PhysioTools offers educational and exercise resources for health care professionals working in the field of neurology:
- OccupationalTherapy Collection (PC4)
- GeneralNeurology (PT12)
- NeurologicalRehabilitation (PX9)
- Hand andUpper Extremity (PX26)
- NeurologicalRehabilitation (PX9)
- Managingat home (PT16)
Click here to read the whole article in Physiospot and to see the references.