Article

Stroke-related deficits can impede both functional performance and
walking tolerance. Individuals with hemiparesis rely on the stronger limb during
exercise and functional tasks. The single limb exercise (SLE) intervention was a
unique training protocol that focused only on the hemiparetic limb. Our objective
was to determine the effect of the SLE intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness
parameters. METHODS: Twelve participants (5 male) with a mean age of 60.6 +/-
14.5 years and 69.1 +/- 82.2 months post stroke participated in the training
intervention. All participants performed SLE using the hemiparetic leg three
times a week for 4 weeks. The nonhemiparetic limb served as the control limb and
did not engage in SLE. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and oxygen uptake (VO2) were
measured at baseline and post intervention in all 12 participants. At pre and
post intervention, gait velocity was assessed in a subset of participants (n = 7)
using the 10-m fast-walk test. RESULTS: After the 4-week SLE training
intervention, significant improvements were found for VO2 during submaximal work
effort (P = .009) and gait velocity (n = 7) (P = .001). Peak oxygen uptake did
not increase (P = .41) after the training intervention. CONCLUSION: These data
suggest that SLE training was an effective method for improving oxygen uptake and
reducing energy expenditure during submaximal effort. Unilateral exercise focused
on the hemiparetic leg may be an effective intervention strategy to consider for
stroke rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS