Physical fitness training for stroke patients.

Stroke can be a devastating event likely to adversely affect physical fitness. This may be through two main mechanisms. Firstly hemiparesis can have a direct effect, limiting the amount of muscle which is available for contraction during physical activity. This makes everyday tasks such as walking difficult and less efficient. Secondly, it may result in neurological deficits such as motor weakness and defective control, which may lead to a reduction in exercise, leading to further reduced physical fitness. Physical fitness training (training) is a planned and structured regimen of regular exercise performed to improve physical fitness. It has been shown to promote long term health benefits in a number of medical specialities. Nurses are frequently involved in the immediate and rehabilitative care of stroke patients. In both, optimising physical fitness is intended to facilitate independence and wellbeing.