Background.
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.