Facilitating Neuroplastic Changes of Acute Stroke Survivors

Inclusion Criteria: * Acute first time unilateral hemispheric stroke (hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, 24 hours after admission to 1 month post-stroke at the start of the proposed treatment) * Hemiplegia or hemiparesis * 0≤Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)\<=2 * Age 30-85 * Ankle impairments including stiff calf muscles and/or inadequate dorsiflexion Exclusion Criteria: * Medically not stable * Associated acute medical illness that interferes with ability to training and exercise * No impairment or very mild ankle impairment of ankle * Severe cardiovascular problems that interfere with ability to perform moderate movement exercises * Cognitive impairment or aphasia with inability to follow instructions * Severe pain in legs * Severe ankle contracture greater than 15° plantar flexion (when pushing ankle to dorsiflexion) * Pressure ulcer, recent surgical incision or active skin disease with open wounds present below knee