Stroke is one of the major and leading causes of impairment, disability and handicap in adults (Dobkin, 2005; Bonita et al., 2004; Dean et al., 2000). Following stroke, motor deficits in the upper and lower extremities of the affected body side are the major noticeable impairments with associated limitations and alterations in functional mobility and task performance (Danielsson et al., 2012; Brazzelli et al., 2011; Goulding et al., 2004). The primary neurological impairments consequently, cause deconditioning and predisposition to a sedentary behaviour and phycial inactivity which adversely impact performance of activities of daily living (ADL), increased risk of falls, heightened risk for recurrent stroke and cardiovascular …show more content…
Circuit class therapy (CCT) is a type of task-specific training that utilises active exercises and activities that are functionally task-specific (English and Hillier, 2010). In this model of training, participants complete a series of workstations arranged in a circuit within a group setting (Wevers et al., 2009; English et al., 2007). Although many of the activities and exercises may be fitness-biased, the primary goal is to achieve repetitive practise of task-specific training of everyday motor tasks (English and Hillier, 2010). The task-oriented circuit training has been investigated in many studies especially, to evaluate its effects on improving mobility or ambulatory functions in stroke survivors compared with conventional therapy (Frimpong et al., 2014; Van de Port et al., 2012; English and Hillier, 2010; Mudge et al., 2009; Salbach et al., 2004). However, whether or not task-oriented circuit class training would improve physical fitness of stroke survivors is unclear (English and Hillier, 2010) and has not been well studied. It is not known whether circuit class training can improve physical fitness and functional capacity in the early stages of rehabilitation after stroke. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of task-oriented circuit class training on physical fitness of stroke survivors in early stroke rehabilitation. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effects of task-oriented circuit training on functional capacity of stroke survivors. We hypothesised that task-oriented circuit class training would improve physical fitness and functional capacity in the early phase of stroke