Research

Mixed

Strength training improves critical stroke recovery outcomes including walking capacity, balance, functional mobility, and walking speed.

For stroke survivors, strength training is a critical component of recovery that goes beyond just building muscle. It significantly improves your ability to walk, balance, and perform daily tasks. Work with a physical therapist to find a safe program that fits your current ability level.

ModerateSupportsLOW confidence
Strength training improves outcomes rated as ‘critical for decision-making’ by the advisory group, including: walking capacity (standardized mean difference [SMD]=1.07, [95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.66]), balance (SMD=1.32 [0.67-1.97]), functional ability and mobility (SMD=0.72 [0.15-1.29]), and habitual (mean difference [MD]=0.05 m/s [0.02-0.09]) and fast-paced walking speed (MD=0.09 m/s [0.01-0.17])
Kenneth S. Noguchi et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2024

Why this rating

Evidence certainty is rated 'very low to moderate' due to high risk of bias and inconsistency.

Source

Prescribing strength training for stroke recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Kenneth S. Noguchi et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2024

DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108476

Meta-analysis · 42 studiesCited 11×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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