title: Muscle strength and weight-bearing symmetry relate to sit-to-stand performance in individuals with stroke.
abstract: This study investigated the relationship of lower extremity joint torques and weight-bearing symmetry to sit-to-stand (STS) performance in individuals with chronic stroke. A motion analysis system and two force plates measured STS duration and weight-bearing symmetry (determined by ground reaction forces) during three self-paced and three fast-paced conditions. An isokinetic dynamometer measured maximum concentric joint torques of the paretic and non-paretic ankle, knee, and hip, which were normalized by body mass. Pearson correlations indicated that (a) paretic ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension torques related to the duration of the self-paced STS condition (r = -0.450, -0.716, respectively), (b) paretic ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, and knee extension torques related to the duration of the fast-paced STS condition (r = -0.466, -0.616, -0.736, respectively), and (c) greater weight-bearing symmetry related to faster STS performance for both self-paced and fast-paced STS conditions (r = -0.565, -0.564, respectively) (P < 0.05). This evidence suggests that paretic muscle strength and the ability to load the paretic limb are important factors underlying the ability to rise from a chair in individuals with chronic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lomaglio
authors.forename: Janice J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*