Association between physical exercise and stroke recurrence among first-ever ischemic stroke survivors

Lisha Hou,Qiang Yao,Qianwen Zheng,Lu Zhang,Yawen Li,Shuju Dong,Jing Zhang,Muke Zhou,Ju Wang,Mier Li,Cairong Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92736-5

Lisha Hou, Qiang Yao + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92736-5

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Abstract

The relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence is controversial. This study was designed to test whether an association exists between exercise and ischemic stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors. Data were collected from January 2010 to June 2016. Baseline information was obtained during face-to-face interviews, and follow-up phone interviews were conducted every 3 months. Exercise type, frequency, intensity, and duration were recorded. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to determine the relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence. 760 first-ever ischemic stroke survivors who were able to exercise were enrolled. After adjusting for covariates, patients who exercised 3.5–7 h per week and more than 7 h per week had a lower relapse risk than patients who did not exercise (3.5–7: OR 0.415; > 7: OR 0.356). Moreover, if the fluctuation of exercise duration was over 4 h, the patients had a higher risk of stroke recurrence than those with variability of less than 2 h (OR 2.153, P = 0.013). Stroke survivors who engage in long-term regular mild exercise (more than 5 sessions per week and lasting on average 40 min per session) have a lower recurrence rate. Irregular exercise increases the risk of stroke recurrence.

Highlights

The relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence is controversial
While some studies have concluded that physical exercise has no effect on recurrent stroke22–25, other[24,25] have suggested that physical exercise protects against stroke recurrence
760 patients were capable of participating in physical exercise and were eventually included in the study (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

The relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence is controversial. This study was designed to test whether an association exists between exercise and ischemic stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors. Stroke survivors who engage in long-term regular mild exercise (more than 5 sessions per week and lasting on average 40 min per session) have a lower recurrence rate. While some studies have concluded that physical exercise has no effect on recurrent stroke22–25, other[24,25] have suggested that physical exercise protects against stroke recurrence These studies[22,23,24,25] ignored the long-term changes in physical exercise after stroke and their effects on relapse. Billinger and c oworkers[19] recommended that stroke survivors should engage in low- to moderate-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercises. The recommended intensity of physical activity in stroke survivors remains controversial.

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