PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different types of physical training on balance performance and whether improved balance correlates with improved walking performance. METHODS: Forty eight participants with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to aerobic training on cycle ergometer (AT-group), resistance training of the lower extremities (RT-group), or sham training of upper extremities (ST-group). Participants exercised 3 d/week for 12 weeks. Balance (Berg Balance Scale), peak oxygen uptake rate, isometric knee extensor strength, maximal gait speed, and 6 minute walk test were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Training specific effects were observed; the AT-group improved peak oxygen uptake rate by 15.5% (6.0 to 25.0), the RT-group improved non-paretic knee extensor strength by 35.1% (18.3 to 51.9) and the ST-group improved non-paretic knee extensor strength by 8.9% (0.7 to 17.1). All groups improved balance (6.0% (95% CI 3.2 to 8.8)), maximal gait speed (10.2% (6.5 to 14.0)), and 6 minute walk distance (12.4% (8.8 to 15.9)) but balance improvements did not correlate with improvements in muscle strength, peak oxygen uptake rate, or walking. CONCLUSIONS: Physical exercise improves balance and walking performance, but improved balance is not a prerequisite for functional improvements in chronic stroke.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher