Grant: CIHR Fellowship

After stroke, a high number of Canadians (85%) suffer from long-term motor impairments hindering daily function and decreasing quality of life. Understanding the underlying structural, neurophysiological and genetic mechanisms of motor recovery after stroke may allow for improved and individualized upper limb motor learning and adjunct therapies (e.g. aerobic exercise) to maximize recovery. The beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on brain health and cognitive function are becoming widely known. Work from our lab, and others, show that the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise are not limited to cognitive function. A single session of lower-limb aerobic exercise increases excitability areas in the brain that control movement for both the arm and leg, improves neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to reorganize itself) and enhances upper-limb motor learning. This suggests that aerobic exercise potentially enhances widespread brain excitability and learning. However, the potential beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on neuroplastic change and motor learning is not known in stroke. This has led to the proposed research examining whether aerobic exercise performed immediately prior to motor practice will 'prime' the brain for structural and neurophysiological plastic change after stroke. The objective of the proposed work is (1) to determine whether a single session of aerobic exercise can 'prime' the brain to enhance motor learning and neuroplasticity after stroke, and (2) to consider how repeated pairings of exercise impacts brain excitability, neurobiology, motor learning and arm function. This work represents an essential first step in advancing understanding of how priming exercise may alter the neurobiology of the brain and impact capacity for motor learning. This research may serve as a starting point for enhanced adjunct therapies to optimize recovery after stroke, and ultimately lead to better health related quality of life for Canadians with stroke.