The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Learning After Stroke

Effect of Cardiovascular Fitness on Motor Learning and Executive Function in Individuals After Stroke

Determine if attaining aerobic fitness is beneficial in producing cortical neuroplasticity in individuals with chronic stroke.

Crossover clinical trial. Experimental group undergoes 3x/wk/6 months of aerobic conditioning. Control group performs usual daily activities. All participants will be assessed with cognitive and motor behavioral testing at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Single ischemic stroke occuring 6-72 months prior
• Fugl-Meyer score (upper + lower extremity) 45 or greater
• Mini mental status score of >23
• approval of the subject's medical doctor

Exclusion Criteria:

• already performing >20 min of cardiovascular exercise 3x/wk or more
• alcohol consumption of >2 oz. liquor, 8 oz. wine or 24 oz beer/day
• cardiac history of unstable angina, recent myocardia infarction within the last 3 months, congestive heart failure, significant valve dysfunction
• medical history of recent hospitalization (> 3 months) for medical illness
• symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease
• orthopedic or chronic pain conditions restricting exercise
• pulmonary or renal failure
• active cancer
• unstable hypertension (>160/100 mmHg)
• diabetes mellitus (fasting glucose > 180 NG./dk, HgA1C > 10%) that is unable to be controlled < month
• receptive or expressive aphasia as indicated on MMSE
• multiple strokes or other neuromuscular conditions
• major depression that is untreated using the Beck depression inventory