Exercise is beneficial for health in many ways. Research published Wednesday, September 19 in the medical journal Neurology confirm it. Just 35 minutes of physical activity a day could reduce the severity of stroke. “There is growing evidence that physical activity can have a protective effect on the brain and our research adds to this data”, said Dr Katharina Sunnerhagen, lead author of the investigation.
Inactive, mildly active and moderately active
The study was carried out among 925 Swedes with an average age of 73 who had had a cardiovascular accident. The severity of their stroke was based on the severity of their symptoms, such as eye, arm and face movements, the individual’s level of consciousness and language skills. The researchers thus identified that 80% of the participants had a “light” stroke.
Respondents then provided information on the duration and intensity of the physical exercises they performed before their stroke. They were divided into three groups: inactive, mildly active who walked at least 4 hours per week, and moderately active who engaged in more intense activity two to three hours per week, such as swimming, brisk walking. or running. Scientists do note that people were interviewed after their stroke, so it is possible that the memory of those who had a more serious accident was affected.
Twice the risk
However, the results are significant. Participants who engaged in light or moderate physical activity were twice as likely as inactive people to have a severe stroke. Among inactive people, 73% have had a “mild” stroke. A figure that climbs to 85% for moderately active people, and up to 89% for the more athletic.
Thus, four hours of walking per week, or 35 minutes per day, would be enough to benefit from the protective effect of physical activity. A duration that is close to the official recommendations, since the National Health Nutrition Program (PNNS) advises practicing the equivalent of 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week or more.
“More research is needed to better understand how physical activity influences the severity of a stroke”adds Dr Katharina Sunnerhagen. The inactivated person should also be monitored as a possible risk of stroke. According to’Inserm, stroke remains the leading cause of acquired disability in adults in France, the second leading cause of dementia (after Alzheimer’s disease) and the third leading cause of death (around 10% of deaths).
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