The Effects of Group Based Exercise Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors Update

Stroke is the second leading cause of death (WHO, 2015) & disability adjusted life years worldwide (Murray, et al., 2012). Following a stroke, it is important to manage modifiable risk factors. Hypertension contributes to around half of strokes in the UK. Exercise training post-stroke has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure (Faulkner, et al., 2013). Physical inactivity also increases the incidence of stroke. Activity levels often decline post-stroke due to loss of movement, mobility & reduced functional capacity (Saunders, et al., 2016). The benefits of exercise training in stroke rehabilitation can improve a wide range of factors including quality of life & secondary stroke incidence (Saunders, Grieg & Mead 2014).