title: Maximal strength training enhances strength and functional performance in chronic stroke survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to demonstrate that maximal strength training improves muscle strength and to assess the effect of training on function, aerobic status, and quality-of-life among chronic stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients acted as their own controls for 4 wks, before an 8-week training intervention. Patients trained 3 days/wk, with four sets of four repetitions at 85%-95% one repetition maximum in unilateral leg press and plantarflexion with an emphasis on maximal mobilization of force in the concentric phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After training, leg press strength improved by 30.6 kg (75%) and 17.8 kg (86%); plantarflexion strength improved by 35.5 kg (89%) and 28.5 kg (223%) for the unaffected and affected limbs, respectively, significantly different from the control period (all P < 0.01). The 6-min walk test improved by 13.9 m (within training period; P = 0.01), and the Timed Up and Go test time improved by 0.6 secs (within training period; P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in walking economy, peak aerobic capacity, Four-Square Step Test, or health-related quality-of-life after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximal strength training improved muscle strength in the most affected as well as in the nonaffected leg and improved Timed-Up-And-Go time and 6-min walk distance but did not alter Four-Step Square Test time, aerobic status, or quality-of-life among chronic stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Tessa R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Tor Ivar
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Gjellesvik
authors.forename: Per Marius R
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tørhaug
authors.forename: Marius S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fimland
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helgerud
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult