BACKGROUND: Many survivors of stroke face chronic disability and increased risk for recurrent stroke. Regular physical activity can reduce these risk factors and improve cardiovascular fitness. Most survivors of stroke face barriers to exercise, including lack of access to programs; as a result, most are sedentary. OBJECTIVE: Pilot the Neurological Exercise Training (NExT) program or survivors of stroke for attendance, safety, and effectiveness. METHODS: The NExT program was designed to promote self-directed exercise in a safe, accessible environment. Six participants attended as desired during open gym hours over two exercise periods per week totalling 19 weeks. After, participants were encouraged to continue exercise away from the gym for 20 weeks. Practicability of the program was assessed through safety, attendance, exercise intensity, and perception of the program. Pilot effectiveness measures were performed at five time points and effect sizes were generated. RESULTS: Attendance averaged 76% (SD12%) of possible sessions with an average duration of 62 (SD 11.3) minutes. Effectiveness measures had positive effect sizes after 19 weeks of the NExT program, but these benefits were lost after 20-weeks (cohen's d, mobility = 0.67 to -0.22, balance = 0.57 to -1.22, strength = 0.41 to -0.30, endurance = 0.09 to -0.19 and fatigue = 1.02 to -0.57). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that a community-based gym that is accessible for survivors of stroke will be well attended and perceived as beneficial. Pilot data suggests positive changes in multiple health domains regardless of the type of exercise self-selected by participants. Offering the gym on a continual basis may maintain gains.
BACKGROUND: Many survivors of stroke face chronic disability and increased risk for recurrent stroke. Regular physical activity can reduce these risk factors and improve cardiovascular fitness. Most survivors of stroke face barriers to exercise, including lack of access to programs; as a result, most are sedentary. OBJECTIVE: Pilot the Neurological Exercise Training (NExT) program or survivors of stroke for attendance, safety, and effectiveness. METHODS: The NExT program was designed to promote self-directed exercise in a safe, accessible environment. Six participants attended as desired during open gym hours over two exercise periods per week totalling 19 weeks. After, participants were encouraged to continue exercise away from the gym for 20 weeks. Practicability of the program was assessed through safety, attendance, exercise intensity, and perception of the program. Pilot effectiveness measures were performed at five time points and effect sizes were generated. RESULTS: Attendance averaged 76% (SD12%) of possible sessions with an average duration of 62 (SD 11.3) minutes. Effectiveness measures had positive effect sizes after 19 weeks of the NExT program, but these benefits were lost after 20-weeks (cohen's d, mobility = 0.67 to -0.22, balance = 0.57 to -1.22, strength = 0.41 to -0.30, endurance = 0.09 to -0.19 and fatigue = 1.02 to -0.57). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that a community-based gym that is accessible for survivors of stroke will be well attended and perceived as beneficial. Pilot data suggests positive changes in multiple health domains regardless of the type of exercise self-selected by participants. Offering the gym on a continual basis may maintain gains.
Authors: Karon F Cook; Winnie Dunn; James W Griffith; M Tracy Morrison; Jennifer Tanquary; Dory Sabata; David Victorson; Leeanne M Carey; Joy C Macdermid; Brian J Dudgeon; Richard C Gershon Journal: Neurology Date: 2013-03-12 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Janice J Eng; Kelly S Chu; C Maria Kim; Andrew S Dawson; Anne Carswell; Katherine E Hepburn Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Susan Marzolini; Che-Yuan Wu; Rowaida Hussein; Lisa Y Xiong; Suban Kangatharan; Ardit Peni; Christopher R Cooper; Kylie S K Lau; Ghislaine Nzodjou Makhdoom; Maureen Pakosh; Stephanie A Zaban; Michelle M Nguyen; Mohammad Amin Banihashemi; Walter Swardfager Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 6.106
Authors: Mahdi Yazdani; Ahmad Chitsaz; Vahid Zolaktaf; Mohammad Saadatnia; Majid Ghasemi; Fatemeh Nazari; Abbas Chitsaz; Katsuhiko Suzuki; Hadi Nobari Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2022-06-22