Effects of aerobic training on physical activity in people with stroke: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: NeuroRehabilitation (Reading, Mass.) Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 391 - 401
• Main Authors: Aguiar, Larissa Tavares, Nadeau, Sylvie, Britto, Raquel Rodrigues, Teixeira-Salmela, Luci Fuscaldi, Martins, Júlia Caetano, Samora, Giane Amorim Ribeiro, da Silva Júnior, João Antônio, Faria, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2020; IOS Press BV
• Subjects: Aerobics; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Clinical trials; Energy expenditure; Exercise; Fitness equipment; Heart rate; Mobility; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Quality of life; Sedentary behavior; Stroke; Walking; aerobic exercise; Stroke; sedentary lifestyle; walking; physical activity
• ISSN: 1053-8135; 1878-6448
• DOI: 10.3233/NRE-193013

BACKGROUND: Individuals with stroke have low physical activity levels and spend high amount of time in low-energy expenditure activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aerobic treadmill training on physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities (primary outcomes), as well as on cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance, depression, mobility, quality of life and participation (secondary outcomes) after stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial, with 22 adults with chronic stroke was performed. Experimental group: aerobic treadmill training at 60–80% of heart rate reserve. Control group: outdoor-overground walking below 40% of heart rate reserve. Both groups: three 40 min sessions/week over 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-training, and 16-week follow-up. RESULTS: No changes in the primary outcomes were found for any of the groups. The experimental group showed greater improvements in quality of life at 16-week follow-up (13 points;95% CI:3.5–23). Both groups improved depression (2.2 points;95% CI:0.01–4.3), endurance (Six-minute walk test:31 m;95% CI:5.6–57, Incremental shuttle-walk test:55 m;95% CI:3.8–107), and mobility (0.12 m/s;95% CI:0.02–0.2). CONCLUSION: Aerobic treadmill training improved quality of life. Aerobic treadmill training or outdoor-overground walking improved depression, endurance and mobility. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of aerobic training on physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities after stroke.