Article

Stroke can result in severe motor deficits, and many people who have
survived a stroke have poor cardiovascular fitness, with potentially disabling
effects on daily life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the
impact of intensive physical training on gait performance and cardiovascular
health parameters in people with stroke in the chronic stage. DESIGN: This was a
single-group, pretest-posttest experimental study. METHODS: Fourteen people with
hemiparesis after cerebrovascular injury (mean age=58.4 years, mean time since
injury=25 months) participated in a 12-week training intervention, 5 times per
week for 1.5 hours per session. The intervention consisted of high-intensity,
body-weight-supported treadmill training; progressive resistance strength
training; and aerobic exercise. The main outcome measures were gait performance
(Six-Minute Walk Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, and aerobic capacity) and parameters
of cardiovascular health (systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass
index, and resting heart rate). RESULTS: Significant improvements in all main
outcome parameters were observed in response to the intervention. Gait speed
during the Six-Minute Walk Test increased 62%, and systolic and diastolic blood
pressures decreased 10% and 11%, respectively. Weekly testing of walking speed
showed that most of the increase in the walking speed occurred in the first 8
weeks of training. Correlation analyses showed that improvements were unrelated
to age, chronicity, or level of functioning. CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity physical
training for people with stroke in the chronic stage increased walking speed
regardless of chronicity, age, or level of functioning. Further studies should
investigate the intervention duration needed to reach the full potential of gait
recovery.

Langue : ANGLAIS