Physical activity can be important for a good recovery after a stroke. A study from the University of Gothenburg found that people who exercised four hours per week after having a stroke were more functionally recovered at six months than those who did not.
The study, which has now been published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open, is based on data relating to 1,500 stroke patients in 35 Swedish hospitals. Participants were grouped according to their poststroke patterns of physical activity. The results showed that increasing or maintaining physical activity, with as little as four hours of exercise weekly, doubled patients’ chances of recovery six months after stroke. Men and people with common sense maintained an active life more often, resulting in better recovery.
positive programming with exercise
Researchers have previously been able to demonstrate a clear inverse relationship between physical activity at the actual onset of the condition and the severity of stroke symptoms. These new findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle after stroke.
Dongni Buvarp, first and corresponding author of the study, is a researcher in clinical neuroscience at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. In addition to his research internship, he is a resident doctor in the early stages of specialist training at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
“Physical activity optimally reprograms both the brain and body after a stroke. Exercise improves the body’s recovery at the cellular level, increases muscle strength and fitness, and reduces the risk of falls, depression, and heart disease.” reduces the risk. No matter how severe a stroke has occurred, those affected can benefit from getting more exercise,” she says.
knowledge and support important
“Being physically active is extremely important, especially after a stroke. This is a message that health professionals, stroke victims and their loved ones should all know. Women and people with impaired cognition after stroke are less active. The results of the study suggest that these groups need more support to go along with the physical activity,” says Bouwerp.
A weakness of the study is that, with few exceptions, the researchers were unable to study the participants’ degree of activity prior to the stroke. The included patients were treated in Sweden in the period from 2014 to 2019.