Table 3.

Codes and themes identified

Code	Theme
To increase use and function of the affected leg	Personal goal
To improve function overall in stroke recovery	Personal goal
To maintain weight	Personal goal
To be able to walk up and down the stairs	Personal goal
To return to baseline function	Personal goal
To resume caregiving roles	Personal goal
To prevent functional decline	Personal goal
A noted improvement in mood toward being more positive	Psychological benefit
A structure to their life activities	Psychological benefit
A source of inspiration/hope related to recovery	Psychological benefit
A sense of being independent	Psychological benefit
To participate in an enjoyable activity	Psychological benefit
Improved overall attitude about life	Psychological benefit
A decreased fear of falling	Psychological benefit
A sense of being engaged in an active lifestyle	Psychological benefit
An improvement in their ability to complete functional tasks	Physical benefit
An improved gait (better stepping and increased distance)	Physical benefit
Increased strength	Physical benefit
Improved affected arm movement	Physical benefit
Increased endurance in walking with the affected leg	Physical benefit
A way to maintain their optimal function	Physical benefits
Improved balance	Physical benefit
Better finger movement	Physical benefit
Improved endurance and less fatigue with daily activities	Physical benefit
Less shortness of breath	Physical benefit
Feeling safe when exercising	Research-based supervised exercise benefits
Receiving general health information from testing (blood pressure readings)	Research-based supervised exercise benefits
Regimentation/regular schedule of exercise	Research-based supervised exercise benefits
Altrustic belief that participation would contribute knowledge to science	Research-based supervised exercise benefits
Access to exercise options (e.g., treadmill)	Research-based supervised exercise benefits
Increased time and speed on the treadmill	Objective encouragement
Improved blood pressure	Objective encouragement
Verbal encouragement from staff	Verbal encouragement
Verbal expressions of staff kindness and competence	Verbal encouragement
Support from family to participate in the T-AEX	Social support
Group encouragement as part of the “team” at the exercise gym	Social support
Resumed ability to drive	Instrumental activities of daily living
Ability to engage in household tasks–laundry, shopping	Instrumental activities of daily living
Self-determination	Self-determination