Adapted physical activity and stroke: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the most significant social and health issues at the global level. The integration of adapted physical activity and exercise into the rehabilitation process and in the postrehabilitation stage could represent a successful action aimed at the functional and cognitive recovery of brain-injured individuals following a stroke. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the role of physical activity in the post-stroke period referring not only to the rehabilitation stage but also to the postrehabilitation one. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology. We systematically reviewed studies published since 2005. The databases used were PubMed and Scopus. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Fourteen articles were included in our review. The evidence supporting the use of physical activity and exercise in stroke survivors in order to maintain adequate levels of their motor autonomy and to improve their physical and psychological health increased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity and exercise contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life in stroke survivors. Moreover, it contributes to maintain functional autonomy, reduces the risk of new cerebrovascular events and encourages socialization if practiced in a group.