Grant: Project Grant

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk of stroke is 1 in 4 persons over 25 years of age. One in three persons go on to have another stroke after returning home. A lack of exercise is one of the strongest predictors of a second stroke. Regular exercise, more than any one drug treatment, has multiple benefits after stroke. Exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of another stroke, improves walking, lowers the risk of falls and fractures and reduces depression. There is a gap in services for community exercise programs that address the unique needs for people living with stroke. Research is needed to understand the best methods to implement health services to benefit the people who need them. PURPOSE: This study will evaluate the strategies that support the uptake of an exercise program across several regions in British Columbia. The Fitness and Mobility Exercise (FAME) Program for stroke will be the program that we implement in community centres. We will develop a referral and support pathway from local hospitals. This group community program was developed by our team. Several large studies have shown that FAME improves cardiovascular health, mobility, cognition and reduces falls in people living with stroke. Access to an exercise program customized for stroke does not exist in most communities. METHODS: We will assess key factors such as readiness of the sites, local adaptations to the protocol, improvements from the program, and sustainability of the program. Our partners include the After Stroke BC Program, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, four health regions and people with lived experience. Our partners will help to make the program relevant and sustainable. SIGNIFICANCE: This study is a deliberate effort to increase the impact of a successfully tested exercise program to benefit more people on a lasting basis. The implementation of this exercise program can serve as a model for other regions, as well as a model for other chronic health conditions.