Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations

Evidence from several studies consistently shows decline in cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness and physical function after disabling stroke. The broader implications of such a decline to general health may be partially understood through negative poststroke physiologic adaptations such as unilateral mus...

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Main Authors: Sandra A. Billinger, Eileen Coughenour, Marilyn J. MacKay-Lyons, Frederick M. Ivey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Stroke Research and Treatment
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/959120
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author Sandra A. Billinger
Eileen Coughenour
Marilyn J. MacKay-Lyons
Frederick M. Ivey
author_facet Sandra A. Billinger
Eileen Coughenour
Marilyn J. MacKay-Lyons
Frederick M. Ivey
author_sort Sandra A. Billinger
collection DOAJ
description Evidence from several studies consistently shows decline in cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness and physical function after disabling stroke. The broader implications of such a decline to general health may be partially understood through negative poststroke physiologic adaptations such as unilateral muscle fiber type shifts, impaired hemodynamic function, and decrements in systemic metabolic status. These physiologic changes also interrelate with reductions in activities of daily living (ADLs), community ambulation, and exercise tolerance, causing a perpetual cycle of worsening disability and deteriorating health. Fortunately, initial evidence suggests that stroke participants retain the capacity to adapt physiologically to an exercise training stimulus. However, despite this evidence, exercise as a therapeutic intervention continues to be clinically underutilized in the general stroke population. Far more research is needed to fully comprehend the consequences of and remedies for CR fitness impairments after stroke. The purpose of this brief review is to describe some of what is currently known about the physiological consequences of CR fitness decline after stroke. Additionally, there is an overview of the evidence supporting exercise interventions for improving CR fitness, and associated aspects of general health in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-24b9da2b45f9408ca19fb6eec47878292025-08-20T03:54:56ZengWileyStroke Research and Treatment2090-81052042-00562012-01-01201210.1155/2012/959120959120Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced AdaptationsSandra A. Billinger0Eileen Coughenour1Marilyn J. MacKay-Lyons2Frederick M. Ivey3Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Mail Stop 2002, Kansas City, KS 66160, USADepartment of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Mail Stop 2002, Kansas City, KS 66160, USASchool of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5, CanadaDepartment of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USAEvidence from several studies consistently shows decline in cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness and physical function after disabling stroke. The broader implications of such a decline to general health may be partially understood through negative poststroke physiologic adaptations such as unilateral muscle fiber type shifts, impaired hemodynamic function, and decrements in systemic metabolic status. These physiologic changes also interrelate with reductions in activities of daily living (ADLs), community ambulation, and exercise tolerance, causing a perpetual cycle of worsening disability and deteriorating health. Fortunately, initial evidence suggests that stroke participants retain the capacity to adapt physiologically to an exercise training stimulus. However, despite this evidence, exercise as a therapeutic intervention continues to be clinically underutilized in the general stroke population. Far more research is needed to fully comprehend the consequences of and remedies for CR fitness impairments after stroke. The purpose of this brief review is to describe some of what is currently known about the physiological consequences of CR fitness decline after stroke. Additionally, there is an overview of the evidence supporting exercise interventions for improving CR fitness, and associated aspects of general health in this population.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/959120
spellingShingle Sandra A. Billinger
Eileen Coughenour
Marilyn J. MacKay-Lyons
Frederick M. Ivey
Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
Stroke Research and Treatment
title Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
title_full Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
title_fullStr Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
title_full_unstemmed Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
title_short Reduced Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke: Biological Consequences and Exercise-Induced Adaptations
title_sort reduced cardiorespiratory fitness after stroke biological consequences and exercise induced adaptations
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/959120
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