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American Family Children's Hospital

Stroke Prevention Exercise Program (S-PEP): Stroke Exercise Research



Why study S-PEP?


Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., and a leading cause of disability among older adults1. There are currently more than three-million stroke survivors in the U.S., most with permanent impairments.


Participating in regular aerobic physical activity is known to actively prevent strokes and heart attacks. However, people who have already had a stroke report that it is very difficult to begin and sustain exercise regimes. People with stroke often have many questions about what types of exercise are appropriate for them, have physical or cognitive symptoms that make physical activity difficult, and have trouble fitting workouts into their lives due to other demands and needs. S-PEP was developed to address all of these problems.


Why is this research important?


Doing objective research will help us (a) know whether the program helps people reach a target level of physical activity, (b) tailor the program around the specific needs of our patients, and (c) provide outcomes evidence to support effective treatment within the multidisciplinary clinic of the UW Hospital and Clinics Stroke Service.




1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 2009.