Sedentary Behaviour and Stroke: Foundational Knowledge is Crucial

Abstract

Physical activity is important for people's health. The emphasis over the last two decades has been on moderate to vigorous exercise when designing activity and exercise programmes for adults with stroke. Emerging evidence suggests that sedentary behaviour is distinctly different from a lack of moderate to vigorous physical activity and has independent and different physiological mechanisms. The concept of concurrently increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour may be beneficial for adults with stroke. This article discusses what we know about sedentary behaviour of adults with stroke and what research directions are needed to build foundational knowledge in this area with this population.