STROKE: WALKS OF LIFE
Treadmill Helps Stroke Survivors Regain Mobility
Even years after a stroke, treadmill exercise can lead to major improvement in walking ability by stimulating new or underused brain circuits, say researchers at Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland and the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Participants who used a treadmill three times a week for up to 40 minutes over a period of six months were able to increase their walking speed by 51 percent. Those who were not using a treadmill and only performed standard stretching exercises gained 11 percent improvement in walking ability.
Especially exciting to researchers: Imaging tests revealed that treadmill exercise increased brain activity in specific parts of the brain by 72 percent, suggesting that the brain, and not just body conditioning, may be involved in these improvements. "We believe exercise gives individuals a way to fight back against stroke disabilities," concludes Richard F. Macko, MD, who co-led the study.
Never use a treadmill without supervision: Researchers used treadmills with special handrails and monitored heart rate.