Heart Health Tips: Is high intensity workout advisable for stroke survivors? Here’s what you need to know

While the importance of exercise in stroke rehabilitation should never be overstated, experts on Saturday affirmed that short bursts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will likely be more practical than continuous moderate physical exertion. When a stroke occurs, blood float to the brain is disrupted, leading to break that could impact physical and cognitive functions. Exercise plays a very important role in the rehabilitation process by promoting neuroplasticity, where the brain reorganises itself to get better lost functions.

HIIT involves repeated one-minute bursts of intense exercise followed by short recovery periods. Use of a stationary bike, treadmill, bodyweight, kettlebell, dumbbells, or jumping rope are some examples of HIIT workouts. “HIIT represents a paradigm shift in rehabilitation, specifically for stroke recovery,” Dr Vikram Huded, HOD and Director and Clinical Lead, Interventional Neurology, Narayana Health City, told IANS.

“Unlike traditional continuous moderate exercise, HIIT enhances cardiovascular health more efficiently by pushing the body to adapt to short, intense bursts of activity,” added Dr Raghvendra Ramdasi, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Jaslok Clinic, Mumbai. Several studies have shown that exercising after a stroke offers a couple of health benefits, including reduced risk of stroke recurrence and boosted overall recovery.

A recent research, published in the journal Stroke, showed that one-minute bursts of high-intensity interval training over 19 minutes were more practical than traditional moderate exercise for bettering the body’s aerobic fitness after a stroke. Evidence suggests that HIIT can accelerate cardiovascular recovery and improve overall physical persistence more effectively than conventional methods.

Ramdasi told IANS the strategy now now not most effective boosts heart and lung capacity but additionally improves circulation, which is critical for brain recovery. On the opposite hand, HIIT may now now not be suitable for everyone, said the experts. “Patients with severe cardiovascular conditions or individuals who're not yet physically stable post-stroke should steer away from this fashion of exercise until they've got regained a certain level of baseline fitness,” Huded said. Ramdasi said patients who have regained some mobility and are medically stable benefit most from HIIT.

The experts also urged stroke patients to perform “any exercise regimen, specifically HIIT, per a deepest’s abilities and under supervision of an expert to guide away from potential risks” Along with they advised to initiate with lower intensity and gradually amplify as tolerance improves.

(Inputs: IANS)