Susceptibility to intracerebral hemorrhage-induced brain injury segregates with low aerobic capacity in rats

► Rats were bred for low and high aerobic capacity. ► Rats with low capacity had worse brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. ► Low aerobic capacity affected several pathways involved in brain injury. ► Both male and female rats with low aerobic capacity had worse brain injury. ► Low aerobic capacity affects stroke outcome as well as incidence.