Exercises after Stroke

Exercise 4
To improve hip control in preparation for walking activities

1. Start with your unaffected leg flat on the floor and your affected leg bent.
   
2. Lift your affected foot and cross your affected leg over the other leg.
   

c. Lift your affected foot and un-cross, resuming the position of step b.
d. Repeat the crossing and un-crossing motion several times.

Exercise 5
To enhance hip and knee control
a. Start with your knees bent, feet resting on the floor.
b. Slowly slide the heel of your affected leg down so that the leg straightens.
c. Slowly bring the heel of your affected leg along
the floor, returning to the starting position. Keep
your heel in contact with the floor throughout the exercise.
Note: Your foot will slide more smoothly if you do this exercise without shoes. 

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Exercise 6
To improve control of knee motions for walking
a. Lie on your unaffected side with the bottom knee bent for stability and your affected arm placed in front for support.

2. Starting with your affected leg straight, bend your affected knee, bringing the heel toward your buttocks, then return to the straightened position.
   
3. Concentrate on bending and straightening your knee while keeping your hip straight.
   

Exercise 7
To improve weight shift and control for proper walking technique
a. Start with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and knees close together.
b. Lift your hips from the floor and keep them raised in the air.
c. Slowly twist your hips side to side. Return to center and lower your hips to the floor.
d. Rest. Repeat motion.
Note: This exercise may be difficult for some stroke survivors and it may worsen back problems. Do not do it if you experience pain.
Exercise 8
To improve balance, weight shift and control to prepare for walking activities

1. The starting position is on your hands and knees. Weight should be evenly distributed on both arms and both legs.
   
2. Rock in a diagonal direction back toward your right heel as far as possible, then as far forward toward your left hand as possible.
   
3. Repeat motion several times, slowly rocking as far as possible in each direction.

Exercise 9
To simulate proper weight shift and knee control necessary for walking

1. Stand with your unaffected side next to a countertop or other firm surface. Rest your unaffected arm on the surface
   for support.
   
2. Lift your unaffected foot from the floor so that you are standing on your affected leg.
   

c. Slowly bend and straighten the leg on which you are standing through a small range of motion. Try to move smoothly, not allowing your knee to buckle when you bend, or to snap back when you straighten.
d. Repeat the knee bending and straightening several times, slowly.

Exercise 10

To simulate proper weight shift while strengthening hip and pelvis muscles
a. Stand facing a countertop or other firm surface for support.
b. Shift your weight onto your right leg and lift your knee straight.
c. Return to center with both feet on the floor.

4. Shift your weight onto your left leg and lift your right leg out to the side keeping your back and knee straight.
   
5. Repeat several times, alternating lifts.
   

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