title: Does aerobic exercise and the FITT principle fit into stroke recovery?
abstract: Sedentary lifestyle after stroke is common which results in poor cardiovascular health. Aerobic exercise has the potential to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve functional capacity and quality of life in people after stroke. However, aerobic exercise is a therapeutic intervention that is underutilized by healthcare professionals after stroke. The purpose of this review paper is to provide information on exercise prescription using the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, type) for people after stroke and to guide healthcare professionals to incorporate aerobic exercise into the plan of care. This article discusses the current literature outlining the evidence base for incorporating aerobic exercise into stroke rehabilitation. Recently, high-intensity interval training has been used with people following stroke. Information is provided regarding the early but promising results for reaching higher target heart rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, KU Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd MS 2002, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA, sbillinger@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Billinger
authors.forename: Pierce
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boyne
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coughenour
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattlage
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation