Abstract
The present study examined the effect of exercise on motor abilities and activities of daily living of hemiparetic stroke patients. A motor performance test was measured once a year for 5 years after starting exercise in 20 hemiparetic stroke patients. They were allocated to either an adherence group (n=10) or a non-adherence group (n=10). The test consisted of measurement of grip strength, knee extension strength, walking at maximum speeds, activities of daily living (Barthel Index: BI). The results indicate that there was no decline in any score in the adherence group. However the scores in non-adherence group showed a significant decline (p<0.05). In conclusion hemiparetic stroke patients maintained their motor abilities by exercise adherence.
