OBJECTIVE: To determine whether aerobic exercise improves aerobic capacity in individuals with stroke. DESIGN: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. DATABASES SEARCHED: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched. INCLUSION CRITERIA: DESIGN: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Aerobic exercise training aimed at improving aerobic capacity. Outcomes: PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Aerobic capacity (peak oxygen consumption (VO2), peak workload). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Walking velocity, walking endurance. DATA ANALYSIS: The methodological quality was assessed by the PEDro scale. Meta-analyses were performed for all primary and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Nine articles (seven RCTs) were identified. The exercise intensity ranged from 50% to 80% heart rate reserve. Exercise duration was 20 to 40 min for 3 to 5 days a week. The total number of subjects included in the studies was 480. All studies reported positive effects on aerobic capacity, regardless of the stage of stroke recovery. Meta-analysis revealed a significant homogeneous standardized effect size (SES) in favour of aerobic exercise to improve peak VO2 (SES 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 0.69; p = 0.001) and peak workload (SES 0.50; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.73; p < 0.001). There was also a significant homogeneous SES in favour of aerobic training to improve walking velocity (SES 0.26; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.48; p = 0.008) and walking endurance (SES 0.30; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.55; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: There is good evidence that aerobic exercise is beneficial for improving aerobic capacity in people with mild and moderate stroke. Aerobic exercise should be an important component of stroke rehabilitation.

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