Recovery Improved in Covert Stroke With Exercise

The 'Stretching Program' will teach stretching for the upper and lower limbs, and the trunk, as well as breathing exercises for relaxation. Supervised group activities will be performed once per week (45 minutes) and self-directed stretching will be encouraged 4 days per week and monitored by an activity journal. The intensity of stretching and number of stretches will be progressed every 2 weeks. Heart rate and perceived exertion will be monitored. The program will last 6 months.

The 'Exercise Program' will prescribe specific aerobic exercise to the participants. Supervised group exercise will be performed once per week (60 minutes) and self-directed exercise will be encouraged 4 days per week and monitored by an activity journal. The initial walking prescription will be set at \~1.6 km and an intensity equivalent to the anaerobic threshold and/or 60% of peak oxygen uptake. Progressions will be made every 2 weeks, increasing distance to a maximum of 6.4 km and then increasing to a max intensity of 80% of peak oxygen uptake and/or max duration of 60 minutes. Heart rate and perceived exertion will be monitored. The program will last 6 months.