title: Determinants of cardiorespiratory fitness at 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better delineate intervention programs, knowledge of the factors that are associated with physical fitness in stroke survivors is crucial. This study aimed to predict cardiorespiratory fitness based on standardized measures along the several dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model at several time intervals in the first year after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke. A symptom-limited graded cycle ergometer test was used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. Outcome variables were VO(2) peak and the Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES). Impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, personal and environmental factors were assessed to determine predictive factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Explained variance at 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke was 39%, 55% and 91% for VO(2) peak and 55%, 63% and 79% for OUES. A strong association between knee muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness was found at each measurement time, explaining up to 72 % of the variance in fitness. At 12 months poststroke, functional mobility, body mass index (BMI) and emotional status also contributed to explain variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knee muscle strength was found to be a very strong predictor of cardiorespiratory fitness during the first year after stroke and functional mobility became important at 12 months poststroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Ilse.Baert@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vanlandewijck
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanhees
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beyens
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors