Article

Poststroke motor control is characterized by greatly reduced muscle power
generation. To date, the extent to which muscle power limits walking performance
or whether its remediation should be a primary component of locomotor
rehabilitation has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to
examine the feasibility and the effects of Poststroke Optimization of Walking
using Explosive Resistance training, an intervention aimed at improving
poststroke muscular and locomotor function. Twelve subjects (6-60 mo poststroke)
participated in 24 training sessions (3 sessions/wk for 8 wk). Exercises included
leg press, calf raises, and jump training, all performed at high concentric
velocity, as well as trials of fast walking. We measured self-selected and
fastest comfortable walking speeds as well as knee extensor and plantar flexor
strength and power at pretraining, posttraining, and 8 wk follow-up time points.
In addition, we also performed a number of clinical assessments commonly used in
poststroke rehabilitation trials. Following training, significant improvements in
lower-limb muscle strength and power were realized and accompanied by
improvements in self-selected as well as fastest comfortable walking speeds. No
changes in clinical assessments resulted from training.

Langue : ANGLAIS