Longitudinal changes in exercise capacity after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if stroke patients without specific aerobic training experience a change in the first 6 months after stroke.


METHODS
Descriptive, longitudinal study with repeated measures of exercise capacity at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after stroke.


METHODS
Exercise testing laboratory in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Consecutive sample of 25 patients (mean age +/- standard deviation, 64.1+/-13.6 y) 1 month after first ischemic stroke.


METHODS
Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)peak) was measured by open-circuit spirometry during maximal effort treadmill walking with 15% body-weight support.


RESULTS
Mean Vo(2)peak increased from 14.8+/-5.3 mL x kg(-1). min(-1) at 1 month to 17.3+/-7.0 mL x kg(-1).min(-1) at 6 months after stroke (P=.003) or from 61.7%+/-16% to 71.3%+/-23% of age- and sex-related normative values for sedentary healthy adults (P=.008).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite improvements in Vo(2)peak and other indices of cardiovascular training between 1 and 6 months poststroke, substantial limitations in exercise capacity persisted. Further study is needed to determine the extent to which these limitations can be modified through aerobic conditioning.
Mackay-Lyons
Marilyn J
MJ
School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. m.mackay-lyons@dal.ca
Makrides
Lydia
L
D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation