Background Integrating aerobic exercise (AE) into rehabilitation programs for post-stroke individuals could enhance motor recovery and cardiovascular health by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the myokine irisin. Chronic stroke survivors typically exhibit elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, which is negatively correlated with steps and time in medium cadence, although the impact of AE on this biomarker remains unclear.