Strength Training for Chronic Stroke Patients

The study aims to investigate the effects of strength training on maximal strength, walking ability and neural function in chronic stroke patients. The strength training intervention in this study is different to all previous interventions for stroke patients. Maximal Strength Training (MST) involves weights of up to 90% of the participants 1 repetition maximum and has a focus on the explosive development of force. This study will use these principles for unilateral leg press and plantarflexion exercises. Only 2 previous studies have investigated high intensity strength training for stroke patients and they used intensities of 80% 1RM. Previous MST interventions have shown large increases in strength, rate of force development and this has transferred to improved walking economy. The investigators predict that MST will give large increases in strength, improved rate of force development (RFD) and walking economy. The investigators expect that better neural function will account for the improvements. This study could provide evidence for the adoption of a completely different method of strength rehabilitation for stroke survivors.

Training will be carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Each session will include a warm up, strength training and warm down. The total time will be approximately 1 hour. The training will consist 2 exercises (leg press and plantarflexion). Participants will train each leg individually with 4 sets of 4 repetitions at 90% of the 1 repetition maximum.

Inclusion Criteria: Under 67 years old Suffered from a stroke at least 6 months previously Living in the Trondheim area such that travel costs can be covered by 1500 NOK Must be able to walk, although use of aids is permitted Exclusion Criteria: Participants must not have cognitive, visuospatial or comprehension deficits to magnitude such that it interferes with the ability to perform testing and training Participants must be medically unstable (e.g. uncontrollably high blood pressure (140/90), arrythmia, other heart instabilities or other known comorbid diseases) Participants must not be known to be pregnant

Avdeling for ervervede hjerneskader, Klinikk for fysikalsk medisin og rehabilitering, St Olavs Hospital

Hill TR, Gjellesvik TI, Moen PM, Torhaug T, Fimland MS, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Maximal strength training enhances strength and functional performance in chronic stroke survivors. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 May;91(5):393-400. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31824ad5b8.