EIDOactive

How can exercise help if you have had a stroke?

Many of us nowadays lead a relatively inactive lifestyle. This is one of the 5 major risk factors (along with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity) for cardiovascular disease, including stroke.

Regular exercise can promote weight reduction and also help to lower blood pressure, create a healthy balance of blood fats and improve the body's ability to handle insulin. All of these help to reduce the risk of stroke.

"Regular exercise can reduce the risk of stroke”

Physical exercise to improve aerobic capacity and to strengthen muscles can help as part of a rehabilitation programme and with continued recovery after stroke.

Aerobic capacity reflects the ability of the body to supply and use oxygen during movement. Exercises such as cycling, walking and swimming improve aerobic capacity. An inactive lifestyle results in a decrease in aerobic capacity and it is known that individuals who have had a stroke have reduced aerobic capacity.

Muscle weakness is a common effect of stroke and can affect the arm, leg or both. More often than not, muscles on the 'unaffected' side are also weak. Exercise for strengthening muscles can sometimes involve gym equipment, free weights and resistance bands. Gym programmes can result in an increase in muscle strength and improvements in walking and hand-arm function.

Exercise programmes can be designed to improve muscle strength and aerobic capacity. You may want to exercise on your own at home or as part of a group at a health and fitness centre.

Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise programme. If you have a health condition or have had a stroke, your doctor or physiotherapist will be able to give you guidance on the type and intensity of exercise to do.

www.stroke.org.uk

• Buy a fitness machineAchieve new levels of fitness in the comfort of your own home.

Copyright © 2007 Stroke Association

This information has been provided by the Stroke Association, the leading UK charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages, funding research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helping stroke patients and their families.

Back to top

EIDOactive

• Acknowledgements
• Terms
• Sitemap
• XHTML
• CSS

Supported by Fitness Industry Association (FIA)