Cardiovascular Fitness Training after Stroke (C-FAST): A pilot Evaluation

This is a prospective, assessor-blind mixed methods study. Participants within 3 months of stroke will be invited to participate in an exercise programme targeting cardiovascular fitness after stroke. The exercise programme will be piloted with up to 10 people with stroke, 1 hour, 3 x per week, for up to 12 weeks. Exercise sessions will take place at the University of Auckland Health and Rehabilitation Clinic. Exercise sessions will be delivered by physiotherapists and clinical exercise physiologists. Participants will undergo safety screening prior to exercise (medical clearance, symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing). Exercise will be group-based with individual programmes prescribed by the physiotherapist or clinical exercise physiologist. Target exercise intensity is moderate to high intensity interval training based on calculated heart rate reserve. Participants will build up to target intensity over first 3 weeks of programme. Exercise will include a combination of aerobic and resistance training and may include body-weight supported treadmill, recumbent and upright bikes, recumbent cross-trainers, free/machine weights, functional exercises. Attendance will be monitored with a sign in sheet and participants will be followed up over the phone to encourage attendance if missing more than one session.