Running training after stroke: a single-subject report.
OBJECTIVE
Although many people who have had a stroke are primarily interested in learning to walk, some are able to focus on a return to recreational and sporting activities. This study was carried out to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of intensive task-oriented training in the body-weight-support/treadmill environment to improve running for a subject after stroke.


METHODS
The subject was a 38-year-old man who had a stroke 2.5 years previously.


METHODS
A single-subject design with baseline, intervention, immediate postintervention, and 6-month postintervention phases was conducted. Dependent variables included 25-m sprint time, single-leg balance, running step width, running step length ratio, Stroke Impact Scale, 6-minute walk test, and lower-extremity strength (force-generating capacity).


RESULTS
At the 6-month postintervention phase, sprint speed, left single-leg balance, and step width changed significantly from the baseline phase. Step length ratio trended toward less symmetry but more consistency, and muscle strength improved more than 20% in 6 of 8 muscle groups in the involved lower extremity and 4 of 8 muscle groups in the uninvolved lower extremity.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive task-specific training was feasible and effective for retraining running ability in the study subject. He returned to recreational running, which provided him with a greatly improved outlook and a better quality of life.
Miller
Ellen W
EW
Center for Aging and Community, University of Indianapolis, 901 S Shelby, Indianapolis, IN 46203, USA. emiller@uindy.edu
Combs
Stephanie A
SA
Fish
Caryn
C
Bense
Brooke
B
Owens
Amanda
A
Burch
Andrea
A
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis