A new study has shown that people who walk at least three to four hours per week, or bike at least two to three hours per week, or the equivalent after having a stroke may have a 54 per cent lower risk of death from any cause.
The findings of the research were published in the online issue of the medical journal ‘Neurology’. The study found the most benefit for younger stroke survivors. When people under the age of 75 exercised at least that amount, their risk of death was reduced by 80 per cent.
“A better understanding of the role of physical activity in the health of people who survive stroke is needed to design better exercise therapies and public health campaigns so we can help these individuals live longer,” said study author Raed A. Joundi, MD, DPhil, of the University of Calgary in Canada and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
“Our results are exciting, because just three to four hours a week of walking was associated with big reductions in mortality, and that may be attainable for many community members with prior stroke,” added Joundi.
“In addition, we found people achieved even greater benefit with walking six to seven hours per week. These results might have implications for guidelines for stroke survivors in the future,” explained Joundi. The study looked at 895 people with an average age of 72 who had a prior stroke and 97,805 people with an average age of 63 who had never had a stroke.
Average weekly physical activity was evaluated from questions about activities such as walking, running, gardening, weight training, bicycling and swimming.