Steen Krawcyk R1, Vinther A2,3, Caesar Petersen N4, Faber J5,6, Rehman S7, Klingenberg Iversen H8, Christensen T9, Kruuse C10
1Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Herlev, Denmark, 2Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen, Denmark, 3Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, QD-Research Unit, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4University of Copenhagen, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Copenhagen, Denmark, 5Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Copenhagen, Denmark, 6University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark, 7Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Dept. of Radiology, Copenhagen, Denmark, 8Stroke Center Rigshospitalet, Dept. of Neurology, Copenhagen, Denmark, 9Nordsjællands Hospital, Dept. of Neurology, Hilleroed, Denmark, 10Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Dept. of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Copenhagen, Denmark
Background: Physical inactivity is a major, yet modifiable, risk factor for stroke. Recommended weekly activity levels to reduce lifestyle-associated disease such as hypertension and stroke are ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, or ≥75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination. A greater health benefit appears to occur with higher frequency and/or higher intensity of activity
Purpose: To explore whether patients with small vessel disease stroke (SVDS) adhere to these international recommendations on physical activity prior to stroke and to examine associations between pre-stroke physical activity and stroke risk factors.
Methods: In “The Effect of Aerobic Exercise in Patients with Minor Stroke (HITPALS) study”, patients with SVDS were evaluated following hospital admission for stroke. Data collected included pre-stroke physical activity (assessed via the self-reported Physical Activity Scale) and health profile variables including age, sex, education, pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, lipids, and aerobic fitness expressed as power output from the Graded Cycling Test with Talk Test (GCT-TT).
Results: Patients included 19 women and 52 men (mean age 64 years) after hospital admission for stroke. Overall, 79% adhered to the physical activity recommendations pre-stroke but only 35% did vigorous-intensity activity. GCT-TT power output correlated with sex where men reached a higher power output than women. Pre-stroke physical activity correlated positively with history of hypertension but did not correlate with GCT-TT power output.
Conclusion(s): 79% of patients included in this study reported that they adhered to the recommendations on physical activity pre-stroke, although only one-third engaged in vigorous-intensity activity. To reduce the risk of stroke, higher intensity of activity may be warranted
Implications: The evidence for the general international recommendations on physical activity for health are yet insufficient in patients with SVDS. Since physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for stroke and lack of time is a great barrier for physical activity it is likely that patients with SVDS will benefit more from exercises with vigorous intensity.
Keywords: Small vessel disease stroke, public health, cardiovarcular exercise
Funding acknowledgements: The Associations of Danish Physiotherapists, Toyota-Fonden Denmark, The foundation of Axel Muusfeldt, The foundation of Aase and Ejnar Danielsen, ProTerapi
Purpose: To explore whether patients with small vessel disease stroke (SVDS) adhere to these international recommendations on physical activity prior to stroke and to examine associations between pre-stroke physical activity and stroke risk factors.
Methods: In “The Effect of Aerobic Exercise in Patients with Minor Stroke (HITPALS) study”, patients with SVDS were evaluated following hospital admission for stroke. Data collected included pre-stroke physical activity (assessed via the self-reported Physical Activity Scale) and health profile variables including age, sex, education, pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, lipids, and aerobic fitness expressed as power output from the Graded Cycling Test with Talk Test (GCT-TT).
Results: Patients included 19 women and 52 men (mean age 64 years) after hospital admission for stroke. Overall, 79% adhered to the physical activity recommendations pre-stroke but only 35% did vigorous-intensity activity. GCT-TT power output correlated with sex where men reached a higher power output than women. Pre-stroke physical activity correlated positively with history of hypertension but did not correlate with GCT-TT power output.
Conclusion(s): 79% of patients included in this study reported that they adhered to the recommendations on physical activity pre-stroke, although only one-third engaged in vigorous-intensity activity. To reduce the risk of stroke, higher intensity of activity may be warranted
Implications: The evidence for the general international recommendations on physical activity for health are yet insufficient in patients with SVDS. Since physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for stroke and lack of time is a great barrier for physical activity it is likely that patients with SVDS will benefit more from exercises with vigorous intensity.
Keywords: Small vessel disease stroke, public health, cardiovarcular exercise
Funding acknowledgements: The Associations of Danish Physiotherapists, Toyota-Fonden Denmark, The foundation of Axel Muusfeldt, The foundation of Aase and Ejnar Danielsen, ProTerapi
Topic: Neurology: stroke; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The National Committee on Health Research Ethics
Ethics committee: Research Ethics Committee in the Capital Region of Denmark
Ethics number: (H-15012371)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
