Association of activity limitations and lower-limb explosive extensor power in ambulatory people with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the explosive lower-limb extensor power of the affected and unaffected sides, and any asymmetry, are associated with activity limitations after stroke.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Measurements made in a hospital clinical research facility.


METHODS
Community-dwelling (N=66) subjects with stroke who were independently ambulatory. Subjects' mean age was 72+/-10 years.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The lower-limb extensor power of each lower limb (in W/kg), performance of specific functional activities (comfortable walking velocity, Functional Reach Test, chair-rise time, Timed Up & Go test), and global indices of activity limitation (FIM instrument, Rivermead Mobility Index, Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living).


RESULTS
Low lower-limb extensor power in either lower limb was the principal factor from among the confounders we recorded that significantly (R(2) range, .21-.46) predicted the limitation of specific functional activities, and low lower-limb extensor power in either lower limb was the principal predictive factor for global indices of activity limitation (R(2) range, .13-.38). The degree of asymmetry of lower-limb extensor power between legs was low and had little or no predictive value.


CONCLUSIONS
In ambulatory persons with stroke, activity limitations are associated with deficits in lower-limb extensor power of both lower limbs, and not the severity of any residual asymmetry. These findings suggest that interventions to increase lower-limb extensor power in both lower limbs might reduce activity limitations after stroke.
Saunders
David H
DH
Department of Physical Education, Sport and Leisure Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Dave.Saunders@ed.ac.uk
Greig
Carolyn A
CA
Young
Archie
A
Mead
Gillian E
GE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*