What are the recommendations for physical activity and exercise for stroke survivors?
When able, stroke survivors should aim to achieve population-based recommendations (40-minute sessions, 3 to 4 times per week of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity), and when this is not possible, their physical activity goals need to be customized to their exercise tolerance, stage of recovery, environment, available social support, physical activity preferences, and specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions as identified by the AHA/ASA guideline for physical activity and exercise.34 Exercise interventions positively affect disability, aerobic fitness, mobility (walking speed), and functional balance indices after stroke.128