Article

After stroke, the early and persistent decline in aerobic capacity
leads to diminish walking capacities. The aim of the study is to investigate the
effects of aerobic cycloergometer interval-training on the walking performances
in subacute and chronic stroke survivors. METHOD: A prospective design was used.
Fourteen patients whose stroke had occurred more than 3 months and less than 2
years performed an aerobic training session with a cycloergometer for 8 weeks. A
maximal exercise test, a 6-min walking test, a 20-m test and an isokinetic muscle
strength test were realized before and after training session. RESULTS: There was
a significant increase after aerobic training in maximal power (Pmax) (mean
23.2%, P<0.0001), in VO(2peak) (mean 14.8%, P=0.04), and in the knee extension
and flexion muscle peak torque on the nonparetic side and extension on the
paretic side in isokinetic mode (mean from 13 to 29%, P=from 0.019 to P=0.0007)
and in the walking performances on the 6-min walk test (mean 15.8%, P=0.0002).
CONCLUSION: Patients with subacute and chronic stroke can improve aerobic
capacity, muscle strength and walking performances after cycloergometer
interval-training. Although these results must be interpreted with caution
considering the small size of our sample, they suggest that aerobic training is a
safe and potentially effective training after stroke and an alternative to
walking treadmill training.
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Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS