Exercise as Medicine: Stroke, Recovery, Strength Training, and Healthy Aging with Dr. Ada Tang
Release Date: 06/24/2025
Exercise as Medicine: Stroke, Recovery, Strength Training, and Healthy Aging with Dr. Ada Tang
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Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Ada Tang, a physiotherapist, professor, and researcher at McMaster University who's transforming how we think about exercise for stroke survivors and older adults. From her unexpected journey from clinical practice to groundbreaking research, Ada shares evidence-based insights on how the right exercise can be life-changing medicine for recovery, independence, and healthy aging. What You'll Learn Why aerobic exercise should be a standard part of stroke rehabilitation (just like cardiac rehab) The surprising benefits of...
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info_outlineEpisode Overview
Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Ada Tang, a physiotherapist, professor, and researcher at McMaster University who's transforming how we think about exercise for stroke survivors and older adults. From her unexpected journey from clinical practice to groundbreaking research, Ada shares evidence-based insights on how the right exercise can be life-changing medicine for recovery, independence, and healthy aging.
What You'll Learn
- Why aerobic exercise should be a standard part of stroke rehabilitation (just like cardiac rehab)
- The surprising benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for stroke survivors
- How power training differs from traditional strength training and why it matters
- The truth about what strength training should look like for older adults (hint: it's not bean bag weights)
- How to recognize pre-frailty and why early intervention with exercise can prevent decline
- The mental health, cognitive, and social benefits of exercise programs
- Why women are underrepresented in stroke research and what's being done about it
Episode Highlights
Ada's Journey: From Bedside to Bench Science
Ada shares her unexpected path from planning a career in private practice to becoming a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation. Her clinical experience working with stroke survivors and older adults directly informs her research mission: proving that exercise truly is medicine for recovery and healthy aging.
Exercise After Stroke: Breaking Down Barriers
Learn why stroke rehabilitation should mirror cardiac rehabilitation when it comes to exercise prescription. Ada explains how her research bridges the gap between stroke care and cardiac care, showing that people with stroke face similar cardiovascular risks but don't receive the same exercise-focused interventions.
HIIT for Stroke Survivors: Challenging Assumptions
Discover the groundbreaking findings from Ada's multi-site study showing that stroke survivors can safely perform high-intensity interval training using recumbent steppers. With just 19 minutes of training (10 one-minute high-intensity intervals), participants achieved greater fitness gains than those doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise.
Power Training: The Next Frontier
Ada introduces the concept of power training for stroke recovery—combining strength with speed to better mimic the demands of daily activities. From standing up quickly to crossing the street when the light changes, power movements are essential for functional independence.
Preventing Frailty: Moving Beyond Bean Bag Weights
Learn how Ada's research challenges traditional assumptions about exercise for older adults. Instead of seated exercises with light weights, her studies show that older adults can safely perform complex, weight-bearing movements that challenge multiple systems simultaneously—and the results are transformative.
The Social Prescription: Exercise as Community Medicine
Explore the profound mental health, cognitive, and social benefits Ada has observed in her exercise programs, from improved memory and executive function to caregiver respite and community connection.
Episode Chapters
00:05-05:00: Introduction and Ada's Winding Journey – From physiotherapy student to stroke rehabilitation researcher
05:01-13:00: Exercise and Stroke Recovery – Why stroke rehab should look more like cardiac rehab
13:01-16:30: Power Training for Stroke Survivors – Combining strength with speed for functional recovery
16:31-20:00: HIIT Research Breakthrough – Revolutionary findings on high-intensity exercise after stroke
20:01-25:00: Understanding Frailty and Pre-Frailty – Early intervention strategies for healthy aging
25:01-31:00: Strength Training Reimagined – Moving beyond bean bags to functional movements
31:01-35:00: The Prescription for Exercise – Frequency, progression, and getting professional guidance
35:01-39:00: Mental Health and Social Benefits – The non-physical benefits of physical activity
39:01-43:00: Research on Research – Improving women's representation in stroke studies
43:01-End: Future Directions and Final Thoughts – Ada's theme song and research vision
Connect with Dr. Ada Tang
- Lab: MacStroke Canada at McMaster University
- Social Media: Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook
- LinkedIn: Ada Tang
- Research Focus: Exercise, stroke recovery, frailty prevention, and inclusive research practices
Connect with The Hole Shebang
- Website: Blueberry Therapy Pelvic Health and Pediatrics
- Instagram: @theholeshebang
- Upcoming Event: The Pleasure Principle Conference
Ada's Theme Song for Her Career
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Motown – perfectly capturing her belief that there's always somewhere to go and that we can tackle mountains together!