AIM: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of aerobic training, compared to non-aerobic interventions, on vascular and metabolic risk factors for recurrent stroke. METHOD: This study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines (PRISMA). Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and CINAHL up to May 8th 2019. Randomized clinical trials evaluating the effect of solely aerobic training on vascular and metabolic risk factors for recurrent stroke were included in a meta-analysis if relevant outcomes were reported in at least two articles. RESULTS: Our search resulted in a total of 7381 hits. Eleven outcomes out of nine articles were included in the meta-analysis. A significant positive effect of aerobic training was found on systolic blood pressure (-3.59 mmHg, 95% CI -6.14 to -1.05) and fasting glucose (-0.12 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.02). The effect on systolic blood pressure further improved when only high-quality studies were included (-4.95 mmHg, 95% CI -8.24 to -1.66). CONCLUSION: Aerobic training results in a significant positive effect on systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose after stroke when compared to non-aerobic usual care or non-aerobic exercise.

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