Light physical activity linked to better daily function in stroke survivors: Study

Stroke survivors who take leisurely walks or attend to nonstrenuous household chores may experience fewer physical limitations than their more sedentary peers, according to a study which may lead to better clinical recovery guidelines for those overcoming the medical condition.

Researchers, including those from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the US, used accelerometers to measure daily physical activity in 30 stroke survivors for a week, assessing how much the participants moved, and how well they performed routine physical tasks.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, noted that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and daily routines that keep people physically engaged in lighter tasks contribute to better physical functioning in stroke survivors