Scientists from the University of Gothenburg discovered that physical activity is crucial for better recovery after a stroke – you need at least four hours of light exercise per week. The research was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
For the research, the team collected data on nearly 1,400 men and women (average age 72 years) who suffered a stroke between October 2014 and June 2019. Among them, 53% increased their physical activities, while 47% restricted them.
Researchers found that patients who increased and maintained their physical activity for six months after suffering a stroke felt better than those who did not.
“When you exercise, you send messages to healthy areas of the brain that replace the part of the brain damaged by the stroke. Physical activity aims to change the configuration of the brain,” the scientists explained.
Scientists say physical activity can include cycling, hiking, gardening, fishing, table tennis or bowling.
In addition, an active lifestyle can increase the mobility of stroke patients and reduce the risk of falls, depression and heart disease.