Post stroke activities such as sports and exercises
Sports and exercise should remain important to you after a stroke. You may face numerous barriers such as physical disabilities, fatigue or depression that may restrict you from resuming an activity that you enjoy. This factsheet provides information about the benefits of participating in sports and physical activity after stroke and how you can embark on this active journey.
Sports and physical activity have a positive influence for everyone. For stroke survivors, it is no different. Engaging in sports and exercise provides the opportunity to:
Reduce the risk of another stroke and other chronic diseases | |
Improve physical well-being and fitness | |
Control blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels | |
Build strength and stamina | |
Improve psychological well-being
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Enhance social interaction
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You should consult your doctor for individualized advice. Generally, aim for at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.
Based on the Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines, this is how you can assess the intensity of exercise:
1. Get medical clearanceAfter recovering from a stroke, do check with your doctor or healthcare professional before starting any form of sports or exercise programme. This is especially so if you have not done any physical activity for some time. | |
2. Know how your stroke has affected youIf you were already active before a stroke, going back to exercising the way you did before your stroke will depend on how your stroke has affected you. | |
3. Choose an activity and get startedYou may need to adapt or modify your sport/exercises, or try new activities. Start slowly with low intensity exercises, then build up gradually. Speak to your physiotherapist or occupational therapist for advice on types of exercises and/or finding a new fitness activity you enjoy. |
Article available in Chinese, Malay and Tamil
For more information on how to better manage your stroke recovery journey, visit Stroke E-Resources.
StrokeHub Video:
Sports, exercise and physical activity (Extended Version)
This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, October 29, 2024