Table 1.

Characteristics of randomized controlled trials on aerobic exercise training in individuals with stroke

Study	Subjects	Cardiovascular exclusion criteria	Exercise training protocol	Resultsa
Potempa58	42 subjects Chronic Age range: 43–72 Moderately impaired (mean FMA: 177/226)	Unstable cardiac disease Peripheral vascular disease Pulmonary disease Uncontrolled HTN Insulin-dependent diabetes.	Mode: 10 weeks of cycle ergometer exercise. Intensity: 30–50% maximal workload, ↑ as tolerated (week 1–4), maintain the highest load achieved at end of 4 weeks (week 5–10). Duration: 30 min per session. Frequency: 3×/week. Control group: Passive range of motion.	Peak VO2: + (↑13.3%) Peak workload: + (↑44.3%) Peak minute ventilation: + Exercise time: +
Bateman59	157 subjects Brain injury of any cause in all stages of recovery (stroke: 44.6%) Mean age: 43.2 Moderately impaired (mean BI: 14/20)	Known cardiac disease or other comorbidities	Mode: 12 weeks of cycle ergometer exercise. Intensity: 50 rpm, 60–80% APMHR. Duration: 30 min per session. Frequency: 3×/week. Control group: Relaxation therapy.	At week 12: Peak workload (loge): + (↑7.3%) RMI: 0 10-m walking speed: 0 BI: 0 FIM: 0 NEADL: 0 Fatigue questionnaire: 0 At week 24: Peak workload significantly declined in the experimental group.
da Cunha 60,61	13 subjects Acute Mean age: 58.4 Moderately impaired (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale: 4.3/15)	Recent myocardial infarction (<4 weeks) Cardiac bypass surgery with complications Uncontrolled conditions (e.g. diabetes >250mg/dL, HTN >190/110mmHg)	Mode: 3 weeks of treadmill walking with body weight support. Intensity: unknown. Duration: 20 min/session. Frequency: 5×/week. Control group: Regular therapy (usual gait training without treadmill walking with body weight support).	Peak VO2: + (↑34.8%) Peak workload: 0 Total cycling time: 0 FAC: 0 FIM (locomotion): 0 Gait speed: 0 Walking distance in five minutes: 0 Gait energy expenditure: 0 Gait energy cost: 0
Duncan62	100 subjects Subacute Mean age: 70 Moderately impaired (mean FMA leg score: 24/34)	Uncontrolled HTN New York Heart Association III/IV heart failure Serious cardiac conditions Oxygen dependence	Mode: 36 sessions (12–14 weeks) of supervised home based therapy program including cycle ergometer exercise. Intensity: up to 25–30 min at 40rpm, ↑ resistance as tolerated. Duration: 90 min per session (aerobic component up to 30 min). Frequency: 3×/week. Control group: Usual care (subjects had services as prescribed by their physicians).	Peak VO2: + (↑9.0%) Bike exercise duration: + 10-m gait speed: + (25.7%) 6MWT: + (25.9%)
Katz-Leurer63,64	92 subjects Acute Mean age: 63.3 Moderately impaired (mean SSS: 31/58)	Abnormal ECG at rest or during the first stress test Significant blood pressure changes on exertion Arrhythmia Heart failure Rest blood pressure >200/100mmHg	Mode: 8 weeks of cycle ergometer exercise. Intensity: up to 60% of HRR. Duration: up to 20 min (week 1–2), up to 30 min (week 3–8). Frequency: 5×/week (week 1–2), 3×/week (week 3–8). Control group: treatment not mentioned.	Peak workload: + (↑176.9%) Number of stairs climbed until fatigued: + FIM: 0 10-m gait speed: 0 Walking distance until fatigued: 0 6-month follow-up: FAI: 0
Chu65	13 subjects Chronic Mean age: 62.5 Mildly impaired (CMSA lower extremity score: 9.4/14).	Unstable heart disease Unstable cardio-vascular status Uncontrolled HTN Previous myocardial infarction.	Mode: 8 weeks of water-based endurance exercise. Intensity: up to 80% HRR. Duration: 1 hour (30 min of aerobic activities). Frequency: 3×/week. Control group: a seated upper extremity exercise program.	Peak VO2: + (↑22.5%) Peak workload: + (↑9.2%) Self-selected gait speed: + (9.2%)
Pang66	63 subjects Chronic Mean age: 65.3 Mildly and moderately impaired (mean ASA Stroke Functional Classification: II)	History of serious cardiac disease (i.e. myocardial infarction) Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic blood pressure >140, diastolic blood pressure >90)	Mode: 19 weeks of land-based exercise (stepping, walking, repeated sit-to-stand, functional strengthening, balance activities). Intensity: up to 80% HRR. Duration: 1 hour (up to 30 min of aerobic activities). Frequency: 3×/week. Control group: a seated upper extremity exercise program with no aerobic exercise component.	Peak VO2: + (10.7%) 6MWT: + (19.7%) PASIPD: 0

^aOutcome measures not concerning aerobic capacity, activity endurance or mobility are omitted.

‘+’ refers to a significant difference in favour of the experimental group (p<0.05).

‘0’ refers to no significant difference between groups.

APMHR, age-predicted maximal heart rate; BI, Barthel Index; CMSA, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; ECG, electrocardiography; FAC, Functional Ambulation Category; FAI, Frenchay Activities Index; FIM, Functional Independence Measure; FMA: Fugl-Meyer Assessment; HRR, heart rate reserve; HTN, hypertension; min, minutes; NEADL: Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living; PASIPD: Physical Activities Scale for Individuals with Physical Impairments; RMI, Rivermead Mobility Index; 6MWT, Six Minute Walk Test; SBP, systolic blood pressure.