Improving Walking After Stroke with High-Intensity Training

High-Intensity Interval Training to Recover Walking Post-Stroke: HIT-Stroke Trial 2

NIH-funded research University of Cincinnati · NIH-11123454

This project explores if a special high-intensity exercise program can help stroke survivors walk better and with more endurance.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Cincinnati NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project IDNIH-11123454 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many stroke survivors find it hard to walk fast or far enough for everyday tasks like grocery shopping, which can limit their independence. Current recommendations suggest moderate exercise, but this might not be enough for everyone, especially those who've had a stroke a while ago and have significant walking challenges. We are exploring a new approach called high-intensity interval training (HIT), which involves short bursts of fast walking followed by recovery periods. This method aims to help you exercise more intensely than continuous walking, potentially leading to greater improvements in your walking ability.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are stroke survivors who are more than six months post-stroke and experience significant difficulty with walking speed and endurance.

Not a fit: Patients who are in the acute phase of stroke or who do not have significant walking impairment may not be the primary focus for this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this training could significantly improve walking speed and endurance, helping stroke survivors regain independence in daily activities.

How similar studies have performed: While moderate exercise has limited effects for some chronic stroke survivors, preliminary findings suggest this high-intensity interval training protocol may offer more significant improvements.

Where this research is happening

Cincinnati, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.