STROKE RECOVERY

STRENGTH AND BALANCE TRAINING

Patients who received strength and balance training at home showed gains in walking ability comparable with patients who got outpatient therapy or specialized treadmills, according to a study of 408 survivors presented at an American Stroke Association conference in February, 2011. After a year, 52 percent of the participants improved their walking ability regardless of which type of therapy they did.

STRETCHING AND INJURY

Stretching before jogging neither prevents nor causes injuries, according to a study of 1,398 runners presented in February, 2011 at a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. But stretching can improve balance and flexibility. It’s best to stretch after you work out when your muscles are warm, which allows maximum gains in flexibility.