title: Physical capacity and walking ability after lower limb amputation: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the influence of physical capacity on regaining walking ability and the development of walking ability after lower limb amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of literature was performed. The quality of all relevant studies was evaluated according to a checklist for statistical review of general papers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lower limb amputees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical capacity (expressed by aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, muscle force, flexibility and balance) and walking ability (expressed by the walking velocity and symmetry).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 48 studies that complied with the inclusion criteria were selected. From these studies there is strong evidence for deterioration of two aspects of physical capacity (muscle strength and balance) and of two aspects of walking ability (walking velocity and symmetry) after lower limb amputation. Strong evidence was found for a relation between balance and walking ability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strong evidence was only found for a relation between balance and walking ability. Evidence about a relation between other elements of physical capacity and walking ability was insufficient. Training of physical capacity as well as walking ability during rehabilitation following lower limb amputation should not be discouraged since several parameters have been shown to be reduced after amputation, although their relation to regaining walking ability and to the development of walking ability remains unclear.
authors.affiliation: Heliomare Research and Development, Wijk aan Zee, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.van.velzen@heliomare.nl
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Velzen
authors.forename: C A M
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Bennekom
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Polomski
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Slootman
authors.forename: L H V
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van der Woude
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Houdijk
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*