title: Nonparetic knee extensor strength is the determinant of exercise capacity of community-dwelling stroke survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship among walking speed, exercise capacity, and leg strength in community dwelling stroke subjects and to evaluate which one was the leading determinant factor of them.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Thirty-five chronic stroke patients who were able to walk independently in their community were enrolled. Walking speed was evaluated by using the 12-meter walking test. A maximal exercise test was used to determine the stroke subjects' exercise capacity. Knee extensor strength, measured as isokinetic torque, was assessed by isokinetic dynamometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main walking speed of our subjects was 0.52 m/s. Peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) was 1.21 ± 0.43 L/min. Knee extensor strength, no matter whether paretic or nonparetic side, was significantly correlated to 12-meter walking speed and exercise capacity. Linear regression also showed the strength of the affected knee extensor was the determinant of walking speed and that of the nonparetic knee extensor was the determinant of exercise capacity in community dwelling stroke subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking speed and peak oxygen uptake were markedly decreased after stroke. Knee extensor strength of nonparetic leg was the most important determinant of exercise capacity of the community-dwelling stroke subjects. Knee extensor strengthening should be emphasized to help stroke patient to achieve optimal community living.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nan-Hsiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Te
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nan-Hsiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ling-Tzu
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nan-Hsiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ya-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nan-Hsiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ta-Sen
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nan-Hsiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Che
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology