ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although exercises involving both lower limbs are indicated for aerobic training, stroke patients have shown expressive asymmetry between the paretic and non-paretic lower limb (NPLL). Performing activities that stimulate the paretic limb during aerobic exercise may optimize training results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if there is influence of load addition on NPLL during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and gait performance of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight stroke subjects with gait deficits were randomized into experimental group, which underwent treadmill training with a mass attached on NPLL, and control group, which underwent only treadmill training. Interventions lasted 2 weeks (9 sessions). Main outcomes were heart rate, arterial blood pressure, gait speed and distance covered. Assessments occurred at rest, 10th and 20th minutes of the session and immediately after each session. RESULTS: There was improvement in speed and walking distance in both groups. All cardiovascular parameters had showed no changes compared to 1st and 9th sessions and there were no differences between groups within each session. CONCLUSIONS: Load addition on NPLL did not alter cardiovascular parameters and gait training provide better gait performance of subacute stroke patients, which indicates this therapy can be considered useful and safe for these patients.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/physiology , Exercise Test/methods , Gait/physiology , Heart Rate/physiology , Stroke/physiopathology , Weight-Bearing/physiology , Aged , Exercise Therapy/methods , Female , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/diagnosis , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/physiopathology , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Stroke/diagnosis , Stroke/therapy , Stroke Rehabilitation/methodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of inclined treadmill training on the kinematic characteristics of gait in subjects with hemiparesis. DESIGN: A blind, randomized, controlled study was conducted with 28 subjects divided into two groups: the control group, submitted to partial body weight-support treadmill gait training with no inclination, and the experimental group, which underwent partial body weight-support treadmill training at 10% of inclination. All volunteers were assessed for functional independence, motor function, balance, and gait before and after the 12 training sessions. RESULTS: Both groups showed posttraining alterations in balance (P < 0.001), motor function (P < 0.001), and functional independence (P = 0.002). Intergroup differences in spatiotemporal differences were observed, where only the experimental group showed posttraining alterations in velocity (P = 0.02) and paretic step length (P = 0.03). Angular variables showed no significant differences in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with hemiparesis, the addition of inclination is a stimulus capable of enhancing the effects of partial body weight-support treadmill gait training.
