title: How strongly is aerobic capacity correlated with walking speed and distance after stroke? Systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Restoration of walking capacity, as reflected by walking speed and walking distance, is a primary goal after stroke. Peak aerobic capacity (peak oxygen consumption [V̇o₂peak]) is suggested to be correlated with walking capacity after stroke. Although the strength of this correlation is unclear, physical therapy programs often target walking capacity by means of aerobic training.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence on the correlation between V̇o₂peak and walking capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus were searched up to May 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional studies reporting correlation coefficients between V̇o₂peak and walking capacity in stroke were included, along with longitudinal studies reporting these correlation coefficients at baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using a checklist of 27 items for observational research. Information on study design, stroke severity and recovery, and assessments and outcome of V̇o₂peak and walking capacity, as well as the reported correlation coefficients, were extracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen studies involving 454 participants were included. Meta-analyses showed combined correlation coefficients (rɱ) for V̇o₂peak and walking speed and for V̇o₂peak and walking distance of .42 (95% credibility interval=.31, .54) and .52 (95% credibility interval=.42, .62), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The studies included in the present review had small sample sizes and low methodological quality. Clinical and methodological diversity challenged the comparability of the included studies, despite statistical homogeneity. Relevant data of 3 studies could not be retrieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strength of the correlation of V̇o₂peak with walking speed was low and moderate for V̇o₂peak and walking distance, respectively, indicating that other factors, besides V̇o₂peak, determine walking capacity after stroke.
authors.affiliation: J. Outermans, MScPT, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Faculty of Healthcare, Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Bolognahaan 101, 3584 CJ Utrecht, the Netherlands. jacqueline.outermans@hu.nl.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Outermans
authors.affiliation: I. van de Port, PhD, Revant, Breda, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van de Port
authors.affiliation: H. Wittink, PhD, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wittink
authors.affiliation: J. de Groot, PhD, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.
authors.forename: Janke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.affiliation: G. Kwakkel, PhD, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Department of Neurorehabilitation, Centre of Rehabilitation and Rheumatology Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kwakkel
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*