According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 795,000 people suffer stroke each year and another 200- to 500,000 suffer what is known as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. A TIA is known as a "warning stroke" and is the most common type of stroke. A TIA is different from a stroke in that it is a temporary condition and there is no permanent injury to the brain. But the evidence of a stroke victim can also be seen in someone experiencing a TIA.
Evidence
About 1/3 of people that experience a TIA will go on to suffer a full stroke within a year. The warning signs of a TIA or stroke are sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing, trouble with walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and sudden, severe headache with no known cause are also symptoms of stroke and TIA.
Exercise After Stroke
With exercise after stroke, many professionals were afraid of the effects of exercise on spastic muscles. A study published in "NeuroRehabilitation" found that stroke victims can be retrained, the muscles can be effectively targeted and that training is significantly increasing muscle power without negative spastic effects. With the loss of muscle function, often inhibiting one or both sides of the body, it's important to take a closer look at core stability. A study in the "Journal of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons" found a clear relationship between the trunk and lower extremities and their evidence suggested that "decreased core stability may predispose to injury and that appropriate training may reduce injury."
Core Stability
This suggests that developing core stability in stroke patients is imperative to regain the most basic function of walking as well as maintaining balance, which can prevent falls. In older adult stroke victims, falls are a major concern where osteoporosis may also be a factor. When core stability is developed and maintained, the muscles of the trunk actively contribute to lower extremity movement. Trunk stability also leads to improvements in lower back function and arm function and all correlate positively to the rehabilitation of muscle weakness and loss of balance resulting from stroke.
Corestability Exercises
Effective core stability exercises target the core region and asks the trunk to perform its daily function and maintain balance. Appropriate exercises include the plank, bridge, abdominal crunches and spinal twists. All exercises can be modified for stroke victims to allow for muscle weakness. For example, a plank exercise is done lying face down in a pushup position on the floor and is held for 20 to 30 seconds. A modification of this exercise is in a pushup position with the knees touching the floor.
Core Success
Success of an exercise program for stroke victims depends on the survivor's previous achievements. If you have suffered a stroke, work with a professional that recognizes your current abilities and can provide positive recommendations to develop your remaining weak areas. A trainer that specializes in special needs training can assist you in gaining strength and overcoming obstacles. Talk to your doctor about the right time to begin an exercise program following a stroke or TIA.
References
- "Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons"; Core Stability and Its Relationship to Lower Extremity Function and Injury; John D. Willson, MSPT, et al.; September 2005
- "Stroke Connection"; Why Rush?; January/February 2009
- "American Heart Association"; Evidence-based care and outcomes improve at Get With The Guidelines--Stroke hospitals: findings from the first 1 million patients; February 2010
- "Stroke Connection"; Resist This!; January/February 2004
- "NeuroRehabilitation"; Systematic muscle building exercises in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.; E. Badics, et al.; 2002
