Walking just 35 minutes a day protects from stroke

Light to moderate physical activity such as walking for at least four hours a week or swimming two to three hours a week could result in a less severe stroke, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.

Katharina S. Sunnerhagen, from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and colleagues conducted the study to investigate the influence of prestroke physical activity (PA) on acute stroke severity.

"Stroke is a major cause of serious disability, so finding ways to prevent it or reduce the disability caused by it are important," said Sunnerhagen. "While exercise benefits health in many ways, our research suggests that even simply getting in a small amount of physical activity each week may have a big impact later by possibly reducing the severity of disease."

For the study, researchers looked at two Swedish stroke registries and identified 925 people with an average age of 73 who had a stroke. The registries included data on stroke severity based on symptoms such as eye, arm and facial movements, level of consciousness and language skills.

To determine physical activity, participants were asked after the stroke how much they moved or exercised during leisure time before the stroke. Questions about duration and intensity of exercise were used to determine the average amount of physical activity. Relatives were asked to confirm exercise levels when needed.

Light physical activity was defined as walking at least four hours a week. Moderate physical activity was defined as more intense exercise such as swimming, brisk walking, or running two to three hours a week. Of study participants, 52 percent said they were physically inactive before having their stroke.

Key Findings:

• Of 481 people who were physically inactive, 354 had a mild stroke (73%).


• Of 384 who engaged in a light physical activity, 330 had a mild stroke (85%).


• Of 59 people who engaged in a moderate physical activity, 53 had a mild stroke (89%).


• Light and moderate physical activity were equally beneficial.

Of study participants, 80 per cent had a mild stroke.

It is important to note that participants reporting on their own physical activity after having a stroke is a limitation of the study. It is possible that memory may be affected by the disease, and more so in people with a more severe disease.

Researchers found that people who engaged in light to moderate physical activity before their stroke were twice as likely to have mild rather than a moderate or severe stroke when compared to people who were physically inactive.

"There is a growing body of evidence that physical activity may have a protective effect on the brain and our research adds to that evidence," said Sunnerhagen. "Further research is needed to better understand just how physical activity influences the severity of a stroke. Finally, physical inactivity should be monitored as a possible risk factor for severe stroke."

Sunnerhagen noted that the difference in physical activity did not account for a large amount of the difference in stroke severity. When combined with younger age, greater physical activity accounted for only 6.8 percent of the difference between the two groups.

Sunnerhagen also stated that the study does not prove that physical activity reduces stroke severity; it only shows an association.

"This study suggests that PA and younger age could result in a less severe stroke. Both light PA such as walking at least 4 h/wk and moderate PA 2–3 h/wk appear to be beneficial," the authors conclude.

For further reference log on to https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000006354