Short bursts of intense exercise may benefit stroke survivors – Harvard Health

For stroke survivors, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may boost fitness more than moderate-intensity workouts, a new study finds.

The study included 82 people who’d had a stroke between six months and five years earlier. Researchers randomly assigned them to one of two exercise regimens. Both were done on recumbent step machines three days per week for 12 weeks. One group alternated between one minute of high-intensity exercise and one minute of low-intensity exercise for a total of 19 minutes. The other group did 20 to 30 minutes of steady, moderate-intensity exercise.

After 12 weeks, the people in the first group improved their fitness twice as much as those in the second group, on average. While the findings support to benefits of HIIT, it’s important to note that the study participants were generally healthy with good physical function. Anyone who’s had a stroke should check with their doctor before starting any exercise regimen. The study was published Aug. 7, 2024, in the journal Stroke.

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