The role of personal trainers for stroke rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability around the world. The aim of this paper is to introduce the medical community to the importance and benefit of using the expertise available through personal trainers.


METHODS
A qualified personal trainer should have an educational background in anatomy, physiology, cardiovascular, orthopedic, rehabilitation and neurology. The major equipments required to perform the extra challenges are revised. Equipment and exercise evaluation of a patient is suggested in these additions to regular rehabilitation process.


RESULTS
The major requirement for an advanced personal trainer is a bachelor's degree in exercise science or related field, with additional educational background in neurology, rehabilitation, orthopedic, anatomy and physiology. It is hypothesized that initiating a supervised, total body exercise program following a cardiovascular accident, one can elicit a positive response towards the activities of daily living. Typically, the physical or occupational therapist will work on just the affected side or portion of the body. Working with a personal trainer, he or she will work on balancing both sides of the body, improving overall strength and coordination, resulting in greater total body recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
By detailing what a qualified personal trainer for stroke rehabilitation can do, in combination with appropriate medical screening and following an appropriate structure course of recovery that adheres to specific programming, a patient can achieve the benefits of training. This training seeks to minimize the risk of additional adverse events or injury while restoring strength and function after a stroke event.
Burkow-Heikkinen
Lori
L
lburkow@comcast.net
D002568:Certification; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation