Common Symptoms and Severity

Why is exercise important after a stroke?

If you’ve suffered a stroke, incorporating an exercise program into your life in the first 6 months post-stroke is recommended for optimal benefits.

Exercise can improve your:

• Functional capacity. This means that it can help reduce the burden that the stroke may have had on your activities of daily living.
• Physical strength and posture. This can reduce your risk of falling and improve your ability to walk and perform activities of daily living.
• Cardiorespiratory fitness. This can reduce risk of developing other medical conditions and recurrence of stroke.

Exercising in safety after a stroke

Strokes can have very different consequences depending on the person affected. Many stroke survivors have to conquer difficulties with balance and walking while they are recovering. If you are affected by such impairments, the use of proper equipment, such as stationary bike, supervision and support during an exercise session is very important. Such measures will ease your mind and reduce the risks of fall or injury.

It is also important to voice your concerns and preferences to any exercise professional you may be working with. Let them know what type of equipment  you feel most comfortable using so they can ensure your comfort during exercise sessions.

Topics covered over the 12 week Post-Stroke program