Boost Your Brain Health: How Early Aerobic Exercise After Stroke Safeguards Thinking Skills Safely

Starting aerobic exercise just two months after a stroke can be beneficial and safe, according to new research. This offers fresh hope for stroke survivors worried about their cognitive health. Cognitive decline is common post-stroke, with about a third of survivors facing post-stroke dementia, which can lead to serious thinking and memory issues. The good news? Regular exercise, particularly aerobic activities, is shown to boost cognitive function.

A study led by Monash University explored how two types of exercise— aerobic and stretching/balance activities—impact brain health after a stroke. Researchers worked with 107 participants aged around 64 who had experienced ischemic strokes (caused by blocked blood vessels). They designed the study to measure the physical and cognitive effects of exercise on the brain.

The participants were split into two groups. One group engaged in aerobic exercise and resistance training for eight weeks, while the control group took part in stretching and balance exercises. All participants underwent brain scans and cognitive tests at various intervals to assess changes in brain volume and thinking skills.

Interestingly, both groups showed less brain shrinkage than expected. The researchers highlighted that even stretching can offer brain benefits. After a year, those who did aerobic exercise performed better on cognitive tests, completing tasks faster than the control group, even if the differences were small.

Professor Amy Brodtmann, the lead author of the study, mentioned that both exercise groups retained more brain volume than past studies indicated. This suggests that structured exercise could help protect the brain in stroke survivors. However, the study had its limitations, such as the number of participants and the diversity of the group, which could impact the findings.

Despite these limitations, the overall message is clear: any form of exercise may benefit stroke survivors’ brain health. Regular movement, whether aerobic or balance-oriented, can preserve cognitive function and improve quality of life.

The findings were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. For more information on similar studies and health findings, you can visit Monash University’s official news page.

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