Cardiorespiratory fitness and walking ability in subacute stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness of subacute stroke patients and to determine whether reduced fitness is associated with gait performance.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Seventeen patients in an inpatient rehabilitation unit who had mild to moderate gait impairments after a recent (< or =7wk) stroke. All subjects could walk at least 3m alone or with an aid but with no standby assistance.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses were measured during semirecumbent leg cycling exercise. Walking velocity and endurance were assessed with 10-m and 6-minute walk tests, respectively.


RESULTS
Peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)peak) was 1.15+/-0.36L/min, which was only 50% of the Vo(2)peak reported in the literature for a healthy, age-matched group. Maximal walking velocity (1.02+/-0.28m/s) and endurance (294.1+/-120.2m) were also approximately 50% of an aged-matched healthy group. Pearson product-moment correlations revealed that 6-minute walking endurance was strongly associated with self-selected walking velocity (R=.91) and measures of peak cardiorespiratory fitness (R=.84).


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiorespiratory fitness was markedly impaired within 7 weeks after a stroke. Although muscle weakness and loss of coordination are the primary impairments that affect gait after a stroke, impaired cardiorespiratory fitness may secondarily affect gait performance by limiting walking endurance. To address this secondary impairment, current rehabilitation interventions can incorporate assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness status and aerobic exercise training for persons after stroke.
Kelly
Joanna O
JO
Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 1825, Australia.
Kilbreath
Sharon L
SL
Davis
Glen M
GM
Zeman
Brian
B
Raymond
Jacqui
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*