Training and taking part in one of our Resolution Runs could reduce your risk of stroke by one fifth, according to Tom Robinson, a leading Professor of Stroke Medicine at the University of Leicester.
Professor Robinson, who is also the President of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, highlighted research studies that showed that moderate to intense physical activity can significantly reduce your stroke risk. This would be any activity that makes you break into a sweat, such as walking, jogging or running.
Professor Robinson said: “You don’t have to be an athlete to reduce your stroke risk, we can all do it as part of our daily routine. Simply taking part in at least 30 minutes of activity that helps you break a sweat about three to four times a week will help. Remember, the more you do, the more you can reduce your risk.”
This spring, there will be a number of Resolution Runs held all across the UK, where you can choose to do 5K, 10K or 15K distances. All ages and abilities are welcome to join, and you can either run, jog or walk your way to the finish line. The registration fee is just £15, and it’s a great opportunity to improve your health and reduce your risk of stroke, all while helping us raise vital funds for stroke survivors.
We've been working alongside Professor Robinson on some guidance to help you get started. He advises that being committed and having a training plan is vital to achieving your goal. He says: “The preparation for and taking part in a Resolution Run could reduce your stroke risk. However, it is equally important to remember that you need to maintain this level of exercise to keep your stroke risk low. If you start small, training in short bursts and building up, you are more likely to succeed and keep going in the long term too.” If you have any pre-existing health conditions or other concerns, it’s important to contact your GP before you begin training.
Our Chief Executive Juliet Bouverie said: “Every five minutes across the UK, someone’s life is turned upside down by stroke, but we can all take part in exercise that helps to reduce our risk. A Resolution Run is an ideal event for families and friends who want to do something fun together while getting more active in 2019. By signing up to a Resolution Run, each runner will not only reduce their stroke risk, but they will also help ensure that we can continue to support stroke survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.”
Physical activity is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle that is required to reduce your risk of stroke. We should all avoid gaining excess body weight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet too.
To enter or find more information, visit our Resolution Runs site. The money raised through your Resolution Run will help us fund vital research and support people affected by stroke across the UK.