title: Do aerobic exercises really improve aerobic capacity of stroke survivors? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Even if aerobic exercises are recommended to stroke survivors, the clinical significance of the effect of these exercises on aerobic capacity has not been definitely shown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate, if there is evidence that aerobic capacity, measured by maximal oxygen consumption, can be improved by aerobic training?
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis, all settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of a University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Search on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Pedro. Study selection and extraction based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. Random effects meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on 13 randomized aerobic training improved aerobic capacity on average by 2.5 mL/kg/min. Four of the included studies had low risk of bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is strong evidence that aerobic training is capable of improving aerobic capacity of stroke survivors, supporting the routine recommendation for training after stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is not known, if one type of training is more effective than others in stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku Turku, Finland - mikhail.saltychev@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saltychev
authors.forename: Tuulikki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sjögren
authors.forename: Esa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bärlund
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laimi
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paltamaa
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation