Core exercises for stroke patients help improve stability throughout the body, which helps improve balance and gait (walking). Building core strength and coordination through trunk control exercises can also help reduce your risk of falling.
It’s important to find core exercises that are safe and suitable for your level of ability. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the most effective core exercises for stroke patients. Use the links below to jump straight to any section of this article.
- Why Core Strength Matters During Stroke Recovery
- Beginner Core Exercises
- Intermediate Core Exercises
- Advanced Core Exercises
- Practicing Core Exercises at Home
Why Core Strength Matters During Stroke Recovery
Core exercises strengthen muscles that maintain your balance and stability throughout the body. A strong core will keep your body balanced walking, standing, and sitting. To understand how this works, let’s look at how a stroke impacts movement in the body.
Each hemisphere of the brain controls movement on the opposite side of the body. When a stroke damages the areas of the brain that control movement, it can result in motor difficulties on either the right or left side of the body referred to as hemiparesis.
When one side of the body is impaired while the other side is not, your balance can be affected. Fortunately, stroke rehabilitation exercises help rebuild strength and coordination throughout the body, including the core, via neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to rewire itself and heal after an injury such as a stroke. As neural connections are created and strengthened, communication between the brain and the affected muscles is improved. This leads to better trunk control, dynamic balance, standing balance, posture, and gait.
To activate neuroplasticity, it helps to practice high repetition of core exercises for stroke patients. The more a movement is practiced, the more the brain will reinforce the neural connections for that movement. This is how physical functions, including core stability, are restored after a stroke.
Effective Core Exercises for Stroke Patients
To help you rebuild core strength and coordination after a stroke, we’ve gathered 15 effective core exercises that you can do at home. It’s important to work closely with your therapist to adjust these stroke exercises to your level of ability and make sure they are safe for you.
Before we get started, here’s a video from Flint Rehab that walks you through some beginner-level core exercises for stroke patients. If you have limited mobility, this is a great starting place. If you have a high level of existing mobility, you can use this video as a warm-up.
Following along with a rehabilitation exercise video can be helpful to stay focused. However, some may prefer written versions of the exercises. We’ve included these below.
1. Back Extensor Isometric Hold
Sit at the edge of a seat and lean back against the chair. Hold this position for a few seconds or as long as you can. Then, use your core muscles to sit up straight and return to your starting position. Repeat 15 times.
2. Trunk Rotation (Twists)
For this core exercise, begin by placing your right hand on the outside of your left thigh. With your back straight, use your arm to help twist your torso to the left. You can use your unaffected hand for assistance. Be sure to keep your spine straight imagine there is a string from your head to the ceiling lifting your head up straight as you twist. Stop twisting if you feel any pain. Then, return to the initial position. Complete this trunk rotation 15 times in each direction.
3. Lateral Trunk Flexion (Oblique Crunches)
Begin this trunk control exercise in a seated position. Dip your left shoulder down towards your left hip and then return to an upright position, focusing on using your core muscles to pull yourself up. If needed, you can use your arm to help push you back up. Repeat this seated core exercise on each side 15 times.
4. Seated Trunk Extension
Keep your back straight while sitting at the edge of your seat. Slowly, lean forward flexing at your hip rather than your waist. Then, engage your core muscles to lean back until you tap the back of your seat. You may use your arms for an added boost. Hold for about 5 seconds, or as long as you can, and then return to an upright position. Repeat 15 times.
5. Trunk Circles
Starting in a seated position, slowly lean forward. Then, slowly move your trunk clockwise, keeping your core muscles engaged. Feel your weight shift from one hip to the other side as you move in a circle. The larger the circles you make, the more challenging this exercise becomes. Complete this 15 times, rotating in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
Intermediate Core Exercises for Stroke Patients
After mastering the exercises included in the video above, you may be ready to complete some more challenging core-strengthening exercises. Some of these may be more difficult if you have trouble with your seated balance. Always have someone nearby the first time you are attempting these core strengthening exercises to ensure that you can complete them safely.
6. Forward and Lateral Punches
In a seated position, clasp your hands together and then punch forward. Use your trunk to lean forward while keeping your arms parallel to the floor. Go as far forward as you can safely without falling. Then, use your back muscles to come back up. To complete lateral punches, remain seated and interlace your fingers. Extend your arms in front of you with your elbows straight, then, lean to the right and “punch” the air. Return to center and repeat, completing 15 repetitions in each direction. Although you may feel pressure in your core, if you feel any pain in your back, stop immediately.
7. Seated Marches
Begin this exercise by sitting on the edge of a seat. Then, alternate lifting each leg and bringing the knees up. Focus on engaging your core throughout this exercise. For an added challenge, stand holding onto the back of your chair and complete marches in place.
8. Leg Rotations
For this core exercise, lie down on a mat with your knees bent at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. With control, let your knees fall to the right and gently rotate your truck to help lower your legs. Then lift your knees back up to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Complete 15 repetitions.
Throughout this exercise, focus on engaging your core and keep your lower back flat against the floor the entire time. As soon as you feel your lower back beginning to lift off the floor, stop rotating and return to the starting position.
9. Leg Raises
Similar to the leg rotation exercise, lie on your mat with your knees bent at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. Extend your leg until your knee is straight. Then, bend at the hip and lift your leg as far as you can safely, then bring it back down. Repeat 10 times on each side.
Advanced Core Exercises for Stroke Patients
The following exercises are advanced moves that should only be attempted once you have regained enough strength and coordination in your core. Ask your therapist if they are suitable for you, along with any extra tips for modification.
10. Bridges
For this trunk control exercise, lie on your back with both knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Use your core to scoop your glutes up, making sure not to sway to either side. Then, release your body back down and repeat 10 times. This exercise targets the core, glutes, and hamstrings to improve strength and stability throughout the body.
11. Crossbody Leg Lift
To perform this advanced core exercise, lie on the floor with your arms and legs flat. Then, lift your left foot and tap it with your right hand. Alternate with your right leg and left arm and repeat 10 times. If it is too challenging at first, you can lift and tap your elbow to the opposite knee.
12. Crunches
Crunches are challenging core exercises for stroke patients. While lying on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, place your hands on your thighs. Then, lift your core and slide your hands up to your knees, or as high as you can safely go. Then, release back down. Complete 30 crunches.
While performing this exercise, it’s important not to pull on your head or strain your neck. If you feel any pain, stop immediately. Instead, lift as high up as you can using your core muscles, and then release back down.
13. Toe Taps
While lying on your mat, assume a tabletop position by lifting your legs with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Your shins should be parallel to the floor and your core should be fully engaged. Then, from this position, bring one leg down and gently tap the floor with your foot.
Bring your leg back up by using your core muscles, keeping your knee bent at a 90-degree angle throughout the exercise. Alternate with the other leg, all while keeping your core as engaged as possible. Repeat this core exercise 15 times.
14. Kneeling Planks
To perform kneeling planks, start in a tabletop position on the floor. Then, move your knees back until your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Hold for 20 seconds or longer if you want more of a challenge. To reduce the intensity, you can move down to your forearms.
15. Knee to Chest
To perform kneeling planks, start in a tabletop position on the floor. Then, move your knees back until your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Hold for 20 seconds or longer if you want more of a challenge. To reduce the intensity, you can move down to your forearms.
Practicing Trunk Control Exercises at Home
The best way to see results from your core exercises is to practice on a consistent basis at home. This will provide your brain with the stimulation it needs to rewire itself and improve control over your affected muscles.
While the core exercises provided in this post are helpful, it can be hard to follow along with them daily. Since consistent exercise is the key to recovery, it’s important to do something extra for yourself to stay motivated to exercise at home. This is why interactive neurorehabilitation devices like the FitMi from Flint Rehab can help. It takes classic rehabilitation exercises, much like the ones in this article, and turns them into an interactive experience.
As you follow along to the exercises on the screen, FitMi provides real-time feedback and unlocks more challenging exercises as you improve. It also allows you to target specific muscle groups including the hand, arm, legs, and core.
Completing rehabilitative exercises is a great way to get the repetitions needed to improve your core strength. As you continue to progress, you may be ready to try some more engaging activities that strengthen your core, such as swimming, yoga, or Pilates. These activities often include repetitive motions and can be more enjoyable than rote exercises. Always consult with your therapist before starting any new core strengthening activities to ensure that you are safe to do so.
Understanding Core Exercises for Stroke Patients
As previously mentioned, it can be challenging to stay motivated and practice core exercises at home after a stroke. Fortunately, with a combination of therapy resources, you can boost your motivation and achieve your goals more swiftly.
Core exercises are particularly helpful for improving balance and walking, two common challenges that many survivors face. You will see the best results by practicing your exercises consistently.
We hope this article helped you understand the importance of retraining your core and provided plenty of places to start exercising.
